There are many levels of unconsciousness. Some are more serious than others. Levels include unconscious episodes that are:

• Brief. Examples are fainting or blacking out.
• Longer. The victim is incoherent when roused.
• Prolonged. A person in a coma, for example, can be motionless and not at all aware of his or her surroundings for a very long time.

Causes of Unconsciousness

• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Hypothermia (low body temperature usually caused by over-exposure to cold temperatures or cold water)
• Stroke
• Shock
• Epilepsy
• Heat exhaustion
• Diabetic coma
• Excessive bleeding
• Alcohol abuse
• Drug overdose
• Poisoning
• Head injury/concussion
• Low blood sugar
• Too fast, too slow and/or irregular heartbeats
• Heart attack
• Medications
• Hypothermia (very low body temperature)
• Heart valve disease

Look for a medic alert information if you find a person unconscious. It could be on a bracelet or a neckchain. It could be in his or her wallet on a card or on a sticker on the back of his or her driver's license. Each of these can identify the person's medical condition.

Is the person not breathing and has no pulse?
	Do CPR (see "CPR") and Seek Emergency Care. (Note: If the person also has a head, neck or spinal injury, keep the head, neck and back perfectly still. Do not tilt the head back to clear the airway. Lift the chin forward instead. See "Head Injury", "Neck/Spine Injury".)
Has the person stopped breathing?
	Do Rescue Breathing. See "Airway and Breathing" and Get Emergency Care.(Note: If the person also has a head, neck or spinal injury, keep the head, neck and back perfectly still. Do not tilt the head back to clear the airway. Lift the chin forward instead. See "Head Injury", "Neck/Spine Injury".)
Does the person have a head or neck injury?
	Get Emergency Care and give first aid for head injury and/or neck/spine injury. (See "Head Injury", "Neck/Spine Injury".)
Is the person bleeding a lot?
	Get Emergency Care and give first aid before emergency care. (See "Cuts, Scrapes and Punctures".)
Did the person show these signs of an insulin reaction or low blood sugar before unconsciousness? Lack of coordination Bad temper, angry outburst Confusion Pale skin Sweating Trembling Seizure
	Get Emergency Care and give first aid before emergency care: Place a small amount of sugar under the victim's tongue. Check the victim's pocket or purse for something sweet. He or she may have a tube of a sweet source (glucose paste) for emergencies. If so, squeeze some under his or her tongue. Keep the victim's airway open. Place victim on his or her side. Do not give liquids.
With or without a medic alert tag for diabetes: Did the person have these signs of a diabetic coma? Fast and weak pulse Rapid, deep breathing Red, dry, warm skin Fruity breath odor (can smell like grape juice or nail polish remover (acetone) Vomiting
Has the person been stung by an insect?
	Give shot from emergency insect sting kit, if available. Follow other instructions in kit and Get Emergency Care.
When you shake the person, does he or she not respond after 2 minutes, but is still breathing and has not been seriously injured?
	Get Emergency Care and give first aid before emergency care. Put the victim in the "Recovery Position".
Has the person fainted or blacked out?
	Give first aid for fainting (See "Fainting") and Seek Emergency Care.