What is the first step in the assessment of an unconscious passenger?

The first step in the assessment of an unconscious passenger is to check for responsiveness and breathing. This is crucial because it allows you to quickly determine the passenger's level of consciousness and whether they are breathing, which significantly influences the subsequent actions you need to take.

Assessing responsiveness helps identify if the individual is simply unresponsive or if they are in a state of altered consciousness. Checking for breathing is imperative because if the person is not breathing, you may need to initiate CPR immediately to prevent brain damage or death. This initial assessment lays the groundwork for any necessary interventions.

Calling for emergency services, administering CPR, or looking for medical alert bracelets are important actions that follow the initial assessment, but they cannot precede the determining of responsiveness and breathing. Understanding the order of these steps is essential in emergency situations to ensure that critical actions are taken promptly based on the person's condition.