What Should You Do If Someone Becomes Unconscious?
It’s a frightening situation but knowing a few simple steps can make all the difference.
When someone is unconscious, it’s always a medical emergency.
Unlike sleep, unconsciousness switches off vital reflexes like coughing or gagging, which means their airway could become blocked by their tongue or vomit. Acting quickly and calmly can save their life.
Step One: Check Responsiveness
Before anything else, check if the person is responsive using the AVPU scale:
A – Alert: Are they fully awake and aware?
C – Confusion: The person is awake but shows new onset confusion, disorientation, or delirium, which is a key indicator of clinical deterioration
Can they answer simple questions (e.g., “Do you know what month it is?”)
V – Voice: Do they respond to your voice?
P – Pain / Pressure: Do they respond to gentle physical pressure, such as a tap on their shoulders?
U – Unresponsive: If they don’t respond to voice or pressure, they are unresponsive and need immediate help.
Step Two: If They’re Breathing, Use the Recovery Position
If the person is unresponsive but breathing normally, your priority is to keep their airway clear and open.
Here’s how to place them in the Recovery Position safely:-
- Remove glasses and straighten both legs.
- Move one arm out at a right angle to the body.
- Bend the opposite knee so the foot is flat on the floor.
- Gently roll the person towards you onto their side.
- Tilt the head back slightly to keep the airway open and clear.
✅ Keep monitoring their breathing until emergency help arrives.
❌ Don’t put anything in their mouth or under their head.
Step Three: Call for Help
Always call 999 or 112 for emergency assistance if someone is unresponsive.
If they’re not breathing normally, start CPR immediately and continue until help arrives.
Why This Matters
The first few minutes after someone becomes unconscious are critical.
Knowing how to respond confidently can literally save a life, whether it’s a colleague, a friend, or a stranger in need.
First aid training isn’t just about compliance.
It’s about taking control when things go wrong, staying calm, and being that real-life hero to someone in need.
Not to mention, it’s a massive confidence boost!
So, start 2026 with skills that could well be life-changing… and not just for you.
Get in touch if you’d like to talk more about training, and here’s to a safer, smarter, and more prepared 2026.
What Does Emergency First Aid Training Actually Cover?
Many people assume first aid training is complicated or only relevant for healthcare professionals. In reality, an Emergency First Aid at Work course is practical, straightforward, and designed for real-life situations.
You’ll learn how to respond confidently to common emergencies such as:
- Unconscious casualties
- Cardiac arrest and CPR
- Using an AED (defibrillator)
- Severe bleeding and shock
- Choking in adults
- Seizures
- Burns, fractures, and minor injuries
- Plus other subjects added tailored to your individual industry
These are the kinds of incidents that happen at work, at home, in shops, gyms, schools, and public spaces. Knowing how to act in those first few minutes can prevent a situation from becoming fatal.
Why First Aid Skills Matter More Than Ever
Emergencies rarely give warnings. Cardiac arrests, choking incidents, serious injuries, and sudden illness can happen anywhere, at any time. Ambulance response times can vary, and those first actions are often carried out by ordinary people before professional help arrives.
That’s where first aid training makes the difference.
Being trained means you’re not frozen by panic. You know what to look for, what to do, and how to help someone safely until emergency services take over.
Emergency First Aid at Work and Legal Responsibilities
For businesses, first aid training is not just a nice extra. UK health and safety legislation requires employers to provide adequate first aid arrangements, including trained staff.
Emergency First Aid at Work training helps employers:
- Meet legal obligations
- Reduce risk in the workplace
- Protect staff, customers, and visitors
- Build a safer, more confident team
- Even in low-risk environments, having trained first aiders can significantly reduce the impact of accidents and medical emergencies.
Practical, hands-on experience
Confidence to act in real emergencies
Skills that last a lifetime
It’s one of the most valuable days you can invest in yourself or your team.
Make Learning First Aid Part of Your 2026 Plans
