If your teenager is unconscious, not waking up, or hard to rouse after alcohol, vaping, or an unknown cause, start with clear first-aid steps and get guidance on what to do next.
Use this quick assessment to understand the safest next steps, including when to call 911, how to check breathing, and what to do while help is on the way.
If your teen is not responding, call 911 right away. Check whether their chest is rising and falling and listen for breathing. If they are not breathing normally, begin CPR if you know how and follow the dispatcher’s instructions. If they are breathing but unconscious, place them on their side in the recovery position, keep their airway clear, and stay with them. Do not leave them alone, do not give food, drink, or medication, and do not assume they will just sleep it off.
If your teen is unconscious, not waking up, having slow or irregular breathing, blue lips, or repeated vomiting, call 911 immediately. Tell responders what you know about alcohol, vaping, drugs, medications, or any injury.
Try to wake your teen by speaking loudly and gently shaking their shoulder. Look for normal breathing, not just occasional gasps. If you are unsure whether they are breathing normally, treat it as an emergency.
If your teen is breathing but not responding, roll them onto their side. This helps reduce the risk of choking if they vomit. Keep their head tilted slightly back so the airway stays open.
Alcohol poisoning can cause confusion, vomiting, seizures, slow breathing, and unconsciousness. A teen who passed out and is not responding needs immediate medical attention.
Nicotine poisoning or exposure to other substances in a vape can lead to dizziness, vomiting, trouble breathing, collapse, or unresponsiveness. Call 911 if your teen is hard to wake, struggling to breathe, or unconscious.
Even if you do not know why your teen is unresponsive, treat it as an emergency. Head injury, overdose, low blood sugar, seizure, or other medical problems can look similar at first.
Do not put your teen in a cold shower, do not try to make them walk, and do not force coffee, water, or food. Do not let them 'sleep it off' if they are very hard to wake, confused, or not responding. If you suspect opioids may be involved and naloxone is available, use it as directed while emergency help is on the way.
Based on responsiveness and breathing concerns, you can get personalized guidance on whether this sounds like a 911 emergency.
The assessment can point you toward practical next steps like checking breathing, using the recovery position, and monitoring for vomiting or worsening symptoms.
If your teen is awake now but recently passed out, you can get guidance on what warning signs still need urgent medical evaluation.
Call 911 immediately. Check for normal breathing, place your teen on their side if they are breathing but unresponsive, and stay with them. Do not let them sleep it off, and do not give food, drink, or coffee.
Look for chest rise and fall, listen for breath sounds, and feel for air from the nose or mouth. Occasional gasps are not normal breathing. If you are not sure, call 911 and follow dispatcher instructions.
This can still be an emergency, especially if they are confused, breathing slowly, vomiting, or cannot stay awake. Get emergency help right away if they are difficult to rouse or their condition is worsening.
Call 911 if your teen is unresponsive, having trouble breathing, seizing, or not acting normally. Keep them on their side if unconscious but breathing, and share any information you have about what they used.
Answer a few questions to get clear, topic-specific guidance on emergency steps, breathing checks, and when immediate medical care is needed.
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