When responding to a person unconscious and unresponsive, what is the first action lifeguards should take?

In a situation where a person is unconscious and unresponsive, the priority is to assess the person's condition and ensure they receive appropriate care as quickly as possible. The first action that lifeguards should take is to check for breathing. This is crucial because checking for breathing helps determine whether the person requires immediate resuscitation efforts, such as CPR, or if other interventions are necessary.

If the person is not breathing or only gasping, this would prompt the lifeguard to initiate CPR immediately, as the absence of adequate breathing indicates a life-threatening situation. On the other hand, if the individual is breathing properly, it directs the lifeguard to monitor and maintain their airway while waiting for emergency medical services.

Calling for emergency medical services is essential, but it typically follows the assessment of the person’s breathing status. Looking for witnesses may provide useful information, but it is not the first action and can be secondary to ensuring the unresponsive individual receives the immediate lifesaving measures they need.