A patient who is unconscious provides a first responder:

When a patient is unconscious, they are unable to give verbal or non-verbal consent for treatment. In such scenarios, the concept of implied consent comes into play. Implied consent is based on the assumption that a reasonable person would consent to emergency medical treatment if they were capable of doing so. This principle recognizes the urgency of the situation and the need for prompt care to prevent further harm or deterioration of the patient's condition.

In the case of unconsciousness, it is understood that the patient would likely agree to receive treatment if they were aware of their situation and the potential consequences of not receiving care. Therefore, first responders can proceed with treatment under the assumption that the unconscious patient would consent to necessary medical interventions, as long as it aligns with the standard of care for emergency situations.

Other forms of consent, such as express consent, require a clear agreement from the patient, which is not possible when the patient is unconscious. Emancipated consent typically pertains to minors who are legally able to make their own medical decisions, which is not applicable here. Competent consent refers to the ability to make informed decisions about one's own care, which an unconscious patient cannot do. Thus, the use of implied consent is the correct approach in this scenario.