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# Loss of Consciousness | |
Unconscious person | |
Common causes of loss of consciousness are: | |
shock | |
hit on the head | |
heart attack | |
stroke | |
poisoning | |
blood sugar too low | |
seizures | |
heat stroke | |
too much alcohol or drugs, or medicine | |
If a person is unconscious and you do not know why, immediately check | |
each of the following: | |
## 1. Is he breathing well? | |
If not, tilt his head way back and pull the jaw and tongue forward. | |
If something is stuck in his throat, pull it out. If he is not | |
breathing, use rescue breathing at once. | |
rescue breathing | |
## 2. If he might have a neck or back injury, do not move him | |
If he might have a neck or back injury, do not move him because any | |
change of position may cause greater injury. If you have to move him, | |
do so with great care without bending his back or neck. | |
neck or back injury | |
## 3. Is he losing a lot of blood? | |
If so, try to stop the bleeding. | |
stop the bleeding | |
## 4. Is he in shock (moist, pale skin; weak, rapid pulse)? | |
If so, lay him with his head lower than his feet and loosen his | |
clothing. | |
Elevate feet | |
## 5. Could it be heat stroke (no sweat, high fever, hot, red skin)? | |
If so, shade him from the sun, keep his head higher than his feet, | |
and soak him with cold water (ice water if possible) and fan him. | |
Elevate head | |
## 6. If he is breathing and you are sure there are no back or neck | |
## injuries... | |
If he is breathing and you are sure there are no back or neck | |
injuries, the person can be rolled to the side to prevent choking if | |
he vomits. | |
Roll to side | |
## If the unconscious person might have a neck or back injury: | |
It is best not to move him until he becomes conscious. If you have | |
to, move him, do so with great care, because if his neck or back is | |
broken, any change of position may cause greater injury. Look for | |
wounds or broken bones, but move the person as little as possible. Do | |
not bend his back or neck. | |
> Never give anything by mouth to a person who is unconscious. | |
> from NEW WHERE THERE IS NO DOCTOR © Hesperian Health Guides, | |
> 1919 Addison St Ste 304, Berkeley, CA, 94704, 1.510.845.1447, | |
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