How do you determine if an adult is responsive?

To determine if an adult is responsive, gently shaking their shoulders while asking if they are okay is an effective method. This approach combines both a physical stimulus and a verbal query to assess the individual's responsiveness. Shaking the shoulders lightly can help to stimulate the person physically, which is crucial in cases where they may be unconscious or in a non-responsive state. By asking loudly if they are okay, this ensures that you are engaging them directly, making it more likely that they will respond if they are able to.

Other methods, while important in assessing a person's overall condition, do not directly address immediate responsiveness as effectively. Shouting at them from a distance lacks the physical engagement necessary to gauge their alertness. Observing for signs of breathing is critical in various emergency situations but is typically done after assessing responsiveness, as an unresponsive individual might require immediate intervention regardless of their breathing status. Checking their pulse, while crucial for assessing circulation, does not provide immediate information about the person's responsiveness and should not be the first action taken in this scenario.