This re-enacted training video shows what to do if you find someone sitting on a sofa, or chair, and they are unresponsive, unconscious. This is a life threatening emergency.
Step 1. Shout for help.
Step 2. Go though your Primary Survey (DRABC). In this case the person is not responding to your voice. They are no responding to pressure on the shoulder. They are unresponsive.
Step 3. Call 999 and put your phone onto speaker phone.
Step 4. Get the person onto a flat surface (usually the ground), as soon as you are able. Obviously getting two or three people to help will reduce the chances of a lifting and moving injury. DO NOT pull on limbs. Use clothing to help slide the person onto the floor.
Step 5. Treat what you can whilst you wait for the ambulance. In the video this person showed signs of shock, so legs were elevated, the patient was kept warm, and monitored.
Step 6. Continue to monitor the patient and update ambulance control, by calling 999, if the patients condition changes.
In this example you could argue that it would be easier for me to lie the person on the sofa, but this would make it harder for me to keep the airway clear, and make it harder for me to respond quickly should the breathing stop.
