Using ammonia to bring a person to consciousness The use of ammonia to bring a person to consciousness is a common practice in first aid, but in emergency situations, including combat, it involves risks that outweigh the potential benefit. The pungent smell of ammonia may cause reflex stimulation of the respiratory center and short-term awakening during superficial fainting. At the same time, ammonia vapors have a toxic effect: they cause a chemical burn of the mucous membranes of the nose, throat and eyes, spasm of the glottis and reflex cessation of breathing, especially in people with hypersensitivity or damage to the respiratory tract. Loss of consciousness is not an independent disease, but a symptom of various conditions. In the case of fainting caused by a short-term decrease in cerebral blood flow, the victim, as a rule, regains consciousness in a horizontal position; The use of stimulants is not required. In case of traumatic brain injury, stroke, myocardial infarction, hypoglycemia or diabetic coma, attempts to bring the victim to consciousness using ammonia are ineffective and dangerous, as they distract the person providing assistance from the necessary actions. In such situations, time is of the essence, and delaying the application of ammonia reduces the likelihood of a positive outcome. The use of ammonia is a particular danger when carbon monoxide poisoning or other toxic substances are suspected. In such cases, the respiratory system is already under significant pressure, and additional chemical stimulation can trigger pulmonary edema or reflex spasm of the airways. If liquid ammonia gets on the skin or eyes, chemical burns can occur, creating an additional problem when water and medicine are in short supply. Alternative methods for helping with loss of consciousness are safer and more physiological.