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What are the Signs of Life EMS Checks For?

Signs of life for conscious and unconscious patients are the same. Breathing and circulation constitute two important, primary vital signs that emergency medical services will check for when assessing a patient. Gathering baseline vital signs provides EMS with important patient information.

  1. Vital Signs

    • Vital signs are an outward indication of what is going on within the body. Signs will include pulse, respiration, skin color and temperature, pupil dilation and blood pressure. Once initially gathered, vital signs will continue to be taken periodically to recognize trends or worsening conditions.

    Pulse

    • A pulse rate is the number of times your heart beats in one minute. Pulse rates vary among individuals, but should be within 60 to 100 beats per minute for an adult. Absence of a pulse rate is an indicator of a cardiac emergency which could result in death.

    Respiration and Lung Sounds

    • Respiration is the act of breathing in and out, with the rise and fall of the chest being a significant sign of life. Normal respiratory rates should range between 12 to 20 breaths per minute for an adult. Lung sounds such as snoring, wheezing, gurgling or crowing indicate underlying breathing difficulties.

    Skin Condition

    • Skin temperature, color and condition provides information about the patient's circulation. Skin color can be pink, pale, blue-gray, red, yellow or blotchy. Skin temperature and condition can be cool or cold, moist or clammy, hot and dry or hot and moist. Any combination of these signs can indicate a significant patient condition.

    Pupils

    • The pupil is the dark circle in the center of the eye which constricts and dilates depending on the level of light. Pupils are checked for light reactivity, dilation size and dilation or constriction equality. Pupils which are non-reactive to light, are constantly constricted, dilated or fixed unequally can indicate various conditions.

    Blood Pressure

    • Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of blood vessels. Normal blood pressure ranges for adults are 90 to 150 systolic and 60 to 90 diastolic. The systolic number is the one on top and the diastolic is the bottom number. Rises or drops in blood pressure are patient conditions which indicate illness.

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