What should you do if you encounter someone who has fainted or is unconscious?

"When encountering someone who has fainted or is unconscious, do not immediately pick them up. Instead, carefully check their condition before providing assistance," advises an expert from the A9 Emergency Center - Bach Mai Hospital (Hanoi).

According to experts at the A9 Emergency Center, when encountering an unconscious person, we often wonder: Should we pick them up and take them to the emergency room immediately, or should we leave them lying there waiting for an ambulance? In many cases, acting on reflexes may not be the right thing to do. Whether or not to move them depends on a quick assessment of the risks, especially spinal injuries. Therefore, when you encounter someone who has fainted, don't pick them up immediately; check their condition before acting.

Before attempting to assist an unconscious person, a quick assessment of their condition is necessary.

PHOTO: PHUONG AN CREATED BY GEMINI

First, let's do a quick check, with 3 crucial seconds to remember, following the ABC principle. A - Airway: Is it obstructed?; B - Respiration: Is breathing present?; C - Circulation: Is there a pulse?

If the victim is not breathing or has an obstructed airway, immediate relief is necessary, even if it requires moving them.

Patients can be moved immediately if they show no signs of injury and if the cause is suspected to be a medical condition (hypoglycemia, stroke, poisoning, etc.). However, when moving them, remember these principles: always keep the head-neck-body alignment; continuously monitor the airway.

Do not immediately lift the injured person if the cause is: a traffic accident; a fall; signs of focal neurological deficits (neck pain, back pain); or suspected spinal cord injury. A single incorrect movement can cause injuries ranging from minor to lifelong paralysis. In this case, maintain the position and immobilize the head and neck. If moving, keep the head, neck, and shoulders aligned as a single unit, and use a rigid stretcher if possible.

In particular, there is one situation where placing the victim in a side-lying position is necessary for their safety. This is when the person is vomiting, choking, or unable to protect their airway. "In emergency situations, sometimes not doing anything hastily is the best way to save a life," the expert noted.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/gap-nguoi-ngat-xiu-bat-tinh-can-lam-gi-185260515201256708.htm