What action should be taken first when encountering an unresponsive adult?

When encountering an unresponsive adult, the first action to take is to call for emergency assistance. This step is crucial because starting the chain of survival involves alerting professional medical responders who can provide advanced care. Calling for help ensures that emergency services are on their way while you perform potentially life-saving measures.

In a situation where an individual is unresponsive, it’s important to first secure assistance so that you can focus on providing care without delay, ensuring that the person receives the help they need as quickly as possible. While actions like checking for a pulse or assessing for breathing are necessary, they should follow the alert to emergency services.

Getting emergency assistance immediately is especially vital in cases of cardiac arrest, where every second counts. Making the call quickly allows trained professionals to arrive on the scene and take over the situation, which can significantly improve outcomes for the unresponsive person.