Dealing with unconscious victims

By

The Ministry of Health

An unconscious victim is defined as a person who is unresponsive to verbal commands and stimulus. An unconscious victim may or may not have breathing and signs of circulation (breathing, coughing and movements).

The first priority is to open the airway to get air into the lungs so that oxygen can reach the brain and other vital organs. Remember, brain damage begins within four to six minutes if nothing is done.

Some injuries and illnesses can result in a victim becoming confused or even unconscious. The individual may be wide awake and alert, completely unresponsive to outside stimulation or somewhere between these extremes.

Causes: May vary, that include: Severe bleeding, severe burns, epilepsy, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, hypertension and so on.

Initial assessment should be made thoroughly and quickly. The purposes are mainly to prioritise the victim, find the main causes of such condition and to determine the existence of life threatening conditions.

If the victim is not fully conscious, you need to monitor any changes in the level of response as the victim's condition can deteriorate and he may become unconscious at any time.

NOTE: In any case, if the victim is not responding to any means of stimuli, further assessment needs to be carried out. (Please refer to CPR procedures)

Safety measure should be made when handling an unconscious victim as you do not want the victim to suffer any wrongdoings being done on him.
Below are some steps that need to be taken into account when you attempt to rescue the victim.

DO:
- Activate Emergency Medical Ambulance Service (EMAS 991),
- Check any danger to you or the victim as you approach the scene,
- Look for clues such as special bracelet or necklace that may indicate the victim has any illnesses such as diabetes mellitus or epilepsy,
- Make sure that the victim's airway is opened; any loose dentures need to be removed;
- Check the victim for any obvious injuries eg bleeding, fracture or evidence of falling from a certain height and so on,
- Put the victim in the recovery position; if trauma is not suspected and victim is breathing or resumes breathing and signs of circulation,
- Observe the victim's condition every three to five minutes, while waiting for the ambulance to arrive,
- Loosen tight clothing especially around the neck, chest and waist,
- Move the victim (if there is no suspected head or neck injury) to open air if victim is in a crowded place,
- Raise and support the legs to improve the blood supply to the vital organs, unless there are obvious injuries to the victim's body,
- Cover the victim with a blanket or whatever else is available to conserve heat.

DON'T:
- Leave the victim alone unless you have to go for help,
- Delay the victim's removal to the hospital,
- Remove the victim if you suspect the victim has a head or spine injury,
- Let the victim eat, drink or smoke,
- Throw any water over the victim's face and/or body,
- Slap the victim's face,
- Shout, scream or shake the victim,
- Give any medications, hot drinks or any alcoholic beverages,
- Use smelling salts or ammonia inhalants.

PRECAUTION
- If you suspect the victim is having head or spinal injury, try to leave the victim in the position in which you found him/her.
- If you need to put the victim in the recovery position, keep the victim's - head and neck in alignment with the body.

Source: Weekend, 28 Feb 2009