This document provides instructions on assisting someone who is unconscious. It explains that unconsciousness is a medical emergency where the person is unresponsive and unaware. Their muscles go limp, potentially blocking their airway or allowing vomit to enter it. The mnemonic "DR ABC" is recommended to assess the situation in a structured way: check for Dangers, get a Response, open the Airway, check for Breathing, and Call an ambulance. If not breathing, perform CPR, otherwise place the person in the recovery position on their side to protect the airway while waiting for emergency services.

1. The recovery position
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2. What is ‘unconsciousness’?
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“complete or near-
complete lack of
responsiveness”
“unaware of both self
and external
surroundings”

3. Unconsciousness vs
sleeping
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The difference between being asleep and being
unconsciousness is that an unconscious person
will not wake up.
Unconsciousness is a medical emergency
which requires immediate first aid intervention

4. Why the fuss?
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When someone goes unconscious, they lose muscle
tone. This means they go all ‘floppy’ – like a rag doll
The tongue (a muscle) can block their airway when it
loses muscle tone. This is known colloquially as “swallowing
your own tongue”
In addition, loss of control over their stomach muscles
can cause stomach contents (vomit) to travel back up to
the throat which can block the airway

5. What is the ‘airway’?
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The airway is a series of tubes which
carries air from your mouth & nose to
your lungs
It can become blocked by the tongue
and regurgitation of stomach contents
This will stop the casualty from
breathing which could result in death

6. Photo: blocked airway
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7. Helping someone who is
unconscious
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You can use the mnemonic
“DR ABC” to remember what
to do!
DR ABC provides a
structured way to think about
how to assess the situation

8. D: Danger
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Check to see if there are any dangers (actual or potential)
to yourself or the casualty
For example electrical cables, moving traffic, other people etc.
Try and make the scene as safe as possible
If the area is too dangerous then stay back and call the
emergency services

9. R: Response
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Attempt to wake the person up by shouting loudly in
both ears and tapping them on the shoulders
If you do not get a response, then the person is
unconscious
This is now a medical emergency. If possible, try to
attract the attention of others by shouting for help

10. A: Airway
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Open the airway by tilting the head backwards and
lifting the chin with two fingers.

11. B: Breathing (1)
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Keep your hands on the person’s head & chin
Place your cheek above their mouth and look at their
chest
Look, listen and feel for regular breathing for up to 10
seconds.
Irregular shallow gasps is not normal breathing. This is
a phenomenon known as ‘agonal breathing’ and should
be treated as not breathing

12. B: Breathing (2)
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If the person is not breathing, commence
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
If they are breathing, then place them in the recovery
position in order to protect their airway
The recovery position involves rolling the casualty onto
their side with their head tilted back.

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Photo: the recovery position

14. The recovery position - steps
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1. Kneel by the casualty’s waist
2. Place the hand nearest you at right angles
3. Grasp the hand furthest to you, place the back of
their hand against their cheek closest to you
4. Lift the leg furthest away from you at the knee and
place their foot on the floor
5. Using their knee as a lever, pull the person onto
their side
6. Ensure their head is still tilted back and they are on
their side

15. C: Call an ambulance
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Once the person is in the recovery position call an
ambulance if this has not been done already!
Recheck the casualty’s airway and breathing every few
minutes until the ambulance arrives
Keep the casualty warm and dry if you can