What should be done first if a patient is found unresponsive with no respiratory effort?

In the scenario where a patient is found unresponsive and demonstrates no respiratory effort, the primary action is to activate emergency response and initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This approach is crucial because the absence of responsiveness and respiration may indicate cardiac arrest.

When a patient is unresponsive and not breathing, the chances of survival drop significantly with each passing minute that passes without intervention. Starting CPR effectively circulates any residual blood, provides oxygen to vital organs, and sets the stage for advanced care that may follow, such as defibrillation or medication administration.

Calling for help is essential to ensure that additional resources are on the way, including emergency medical services (EMS). It also allows for quick access to advanced interventions that you, as a rescuer, may not be equipped to provide alone. Simultaneously beginning CPR increases the likelihood of maintaining circulation until professional help arrives.

Other options, such as administering epinephrine or beginning rescue breathing alone, are not appropriate as immediate priorities. Rescue breathing would only be initiated if there was a heartbeat present, and no pulse check or heart rhythm assessment should delay CPR in such critical situations. Overall, the straightforward response in this life-threatening scenario prioritizes immediate action—calling for help and starting CPR—which