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Sudden collapse can have several causes; Calling 9-1-1 for help is best response
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Sudden collapse can have several causes; Calling 9-1-1 for help is best response
You’re waiting for a bus, walking with a friend or standing in a crowd and suddenly you see someone collapse. What should you do? Realizing the possible causes of collapse can be helpful in order to respond quickly and effectively.
“Understanding why someone collapses is a complex decision that can be difficult to make in emergency situations,” says Dr. Mickey Eisenberg, director of the Emergency Medicine Service at UW Medical Center. “However, it can be helpful to know some of the possible causes and what you can do to help.”
Recognizing an emergency event is fairly simple. Medical collapses are characterized by a dramatic change in a person’s consciousness or behavior. He or she may suddenly stop talking, stop moving or become unresponsive.
In all situations, if a person fails to respond after you shake them lightly, call 9-1-1 for emergency assistance.
“Calling 9-1-1 is always an appropriate response whether you understand why someone has collapsed or not,” Eisenberg stresses.
Some common reasons for sudden collapse and appropriate responses include:
Cardiac arrest — Symptoms: No pulse, no blood pressure, unconscious, not breathing or breathing abnormally (gasping/snorting). Response: After calling 9-1-1, begin CPR immediately. If you don’t know CPR, ask for assistance from a 9-1-1 operator. Tips: Some people are caught off guard if a person gasps for breath following a heart attack. Eisenberg notes this should not delay the start of CPR.
Stroke — Symptoms: Still breathing. May be unresponsive or may respond but with impairment, such as inability to move an arm or leg or demonstrating some sort of neurological deficit. Response: After calling 9-1-1, have person remain in comfortable position.
Seizure — Symptoms: Symptoms of the seizure generally last a few seconds. After the seizure, the person is usually responsive to shaking. Breathing resumes after the seizure stops. Response: Unless personally aware of the individual’s seizure history, call 9-1-1. Make sure the airway is open and roll the person onto their side. Tips: Do not place objects into the mouth of a person having a seizure. People who collapse due to seizures are usually young; those with a history of seizures may wear I.D. bracelets.
Diabetic seizure — Symptoms: The person continues to breathe and is usually responsive to shaking. Response: Call 9-1-1 and keep person comfortable. If possible, provide something sweet to eat or drink after the person regains consciousness.
Fainting — Symptoms: The person becomes pale and slowly collapses or loses consciousness for a few seconds due to a fall in blood pressure. Fainting usually occurs when someone is standing for long periods of time, seeing blood or in a confined space. Response: If a person is awake and alert within seconds, there is usually no need to call 9-1-1. However, if in doubt, still call.
When you see someone collapse, the most important thing to do is to respond,” Eisenberg said. “It’s always good to call 9-1-1. These are situations where time can make the difference between life and death.”
Julie Rathbun
University Week
The faculty and staff publication of the University of Washington
uweek@u.washington.edu
January 28, 1999
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