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Warning-sign checks

Decreased alertness: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services if someone:

    • Cannot be awakened or is becoming harder to wake
    • Has slow, irregular, or stopped breathing
    • Develops sudden weakness, facial drooping, speech trouble, or severe imbalance
    • Has a seizure lasting several minutes or repeated seizures without recovery
    • Has decreased alertness after a significant head injury
    • May have taken an overdose or been exposed to carbon monoxide
    • Has blue, grey, or unusually pale lips or skin

    Do not re-enter the building until emergency professionals say it is safe.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek urgent same-day care for a new, unexplained reduction in alertness, even if the person can still be awakened.

    This is especially important with fever, repeated vomiting, worsening confusion, a new medicine, or a condition such as diabetes.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Book a routine appointment if sleepiness keeps returning, affects work or school, or continues despite enough sleep.

    Loud snoring, gasping during sleep, or falling asleep during normal activities also needs assessment.

The article also says

Move into fresh air if carbon monoxide exposure is possible and it is safe to leave.

Do not drive, cycle in traffic, swim alone, or operate machinery while alertness is reduced.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Decreased alertness. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.