Unconscious Individual

In an Emergency

  • Call: 911.
  • Contact the Office of Public Safety at 212-772-4444 or ANY PUBLIC SAFETY DESK.

Overview

  • Unconsciousness occurs when a person is suddenly unable to respond to stimuli and appears to be asleep. A person may be unconscious for a few seconds (as is the case with fainting) or for longer periods of time. 
  • People who become unconscious do not respond to loud sounds or shaking. They may even stop breathing or their pulse may become faint. This calls for immediate emergency attention. The sooner the person receives emergency first aid, the better his or her outcome will be. 

If you see a person who has become unconscious, take these steps:

  1. Check to see if the person is breathing. If he or she is breathing, position the person on his or her back. 
  2. Raise the person’s legs at least 12 inches above the ground. 
  3. Loosen any restrictive clothing or belts. If the person does not regain consciousness within one minute, call 911. 
  4. Check the person’s airway to make sure it is not obstructed.
  5. If the person becomes unresponsive (or if found unresponsive), lower the person to the ground, expose the chest and start CPR with 30 chest compressions. Look inside the mouth each time you open the mouth to give breaths and remove any object seen.