How should breathing be assessed in an unresponsive person?

To assess breathing in an unresponsive person, looking for chest rising and listening for breath sounds is the most effective method. This approach allows you to visually confirm whether the person is breathing by observing the rise and fall of the chest. Additionally, listening helps to determine if there are any breath sounds that indicate airflow.

This method is critical because it provides immediate and observable evidence of respiration, which is vital in emergency situations where every second counts. It's essential to ensure that the airway is clear and that the person is receiving adequate ventilation if they are not breathing or are only gasping, which necessitates prompt medical intervention.

Other methods, such as shouting to check for a response, merely assess consciousness and do not provide information about breathing status. Palpating the abdomen for movement is less effective as it does not directly indicate whether air is being exchanged in the lungs. Counting breaths for one minute is more time-consuming and less practical in an urgent scenario where immediate action may be required.