Pre-reading

The Unconscious Casualty

A person is considered unconscious if they are unable to:

• • respond to your spoken word or gentle touch.

Unconsciousness can be caused by:

• • direct head or neck trauma
  • overdose of drugs or alcohol electric shock
  • alteration in blood pressure
  • a medical emergency like stroke, poorly controlled diabetes or a seizure
  • many other emergencies.

An unconscious casualty is at risk of death if left on their back or slumped in such a way as to block their airway.

Management of an Unconscious Casualty

1. DRSABCD
2. If breathing adequately place the casualty onto their side in a Airway Protected Position
3. Check and control any severe bleeding
4. Check for other injuries
5. Stay with the casualty until help arrives
6. Monitor and note any changes in the casualty’s condition and report this information to the attending emergency or medical personnel.

The Airway Protected Position (also known as the coma, stable side and recovery position)

The semi or unconscious casualty must be positioned on their side to protect their airway from becoming blocked.

Position a pregnant woman onto her left side

1. While kneeling, place the person’s arm furthest from you to 90 degrees
2. Bring the knee closest to you up to a fully bent position
3. Place the arm closest to you across the person’s chest, fingers pointing to shoulder area
4. Gently roll the person away from you
5. Limit further movement by keeping the uppermost leg at a right angle to and touching the ground
6. To protect the airway, position the person’s mouth towards the ground
7. Recheck the casualty’s breathing, Look, Listen and Feel for adequate breathing
8. Check for and control blood loss and manage any visible injuries
9. Continue to monitor the person until emergency personnel arrive.