If a person is unresponsive, what should you do before starting CPR?

If a person is unresponsive, what should you do before starting CPR?

• A. Roll the person on his back to begin CPR
• B. Shout for help
• C. Check for breathing for 10 seconds
• D. Sit the person up

Answer: (A)

The main thing this item tests is how to prioritize actions when you find someone unresponsive. The first step is to get help. Shouting for help ensures someone will call emergency services and bring an AED if available, which is crucial because CPR and defibrillation greatly affect survival. After you’ve triggered help, you quickly check whether the person is breathing normally. Do this by looking for chest movement, listening for breath, and feeling for air for no more than about ten seconds. If there is no normal breathing, you start CPR immediately. If the person isn’t already lying on their back, repositioning them to a flat back position is done so you can perform chest compressions effectively, but you should not delay starting CPR for this. Sitting the person up would obstruct chest compressions and isn’t appropriate. So, shouting for help is the best first action because it mobilizes needed assistance and resources before you begin CPR.

The main thing this item tests is how to prioritize actions when you find someone unresponsive. The first step is to get help. Shouting for help ensures someone will call emergency services and bring an AED if available, which is crucial because CPR and defibrillation greatly affect survival.

After you’ve triggered help, you quickly check whether the person is breathing normally. Do this by looking for chest movement, listening for breath, and feeling for air for no more than about ten seconds. If there is no normal breathing, you start CPR immediately.

If the person isn’t already lying on their back, repositioning them to a flat back position is done so you can perform chest compressions effectively, but you should not delay starting CPR for this. Sitting the person up would obstruct chest compressions and isn’t appropriate.

So, shouting for help is the best first action because it mobilizes needed assistance and resources before you begin CPR.