What is the first action to take when encountering an unconscious patient?

When encountering an unconscious patient, the priority is to assess their breathing. This is critical because if a patient is unconscious, they may not be able to breathe adequately on their own. Checking for breathing helps determine the patient's level of consciousness and whether immediate interventions are necessary. If the patient is not breathing or breathing abnormally, it indicates the need for urgent resuscitation efforts.

In emergency situations, following a systematic approach is essential. The first assessment of breathing can inform subsequent actions, such as administering CPR if the patient displays no signs of breathing. While checking a pulse is also an important assessment to evaluate the patient's circulation, ensuring the airway is open and assessing breathing takes precedence in this scenario. Additionally, calling for emergency help is crucial, but this should ideally occur simultaneously or right after assessing breathing. Administering CPR is contingent upon the patient not breathing, making it vital to assess breathing first before deciding on that course of action.