What is the first step in managing a casualty who is unconscious?

The first step in managing a casualty who is unconscious is to assess breathing. When an individual is unconscious, the primary concern is their airway and whether they are breathing adequately. Assessing breathing allows you to determine if the casualty is in a critical condition that requires immediate intervention, such as providing rescue breaths or performing CPR.

In a situation where a person is unconscious, if their airway is obstructed or they are not breathing, then performing appropriate emergency actions is crucial. Checking for a pulse is important, but it comes after ensuring that the person is breathing and has an open airway. Identifying the cause of unconsciousness is also significant but should not take precedence over assessing the victim’s immediate life-support needs. Administering rescue breathing is only necessary if the individual is not breathing, which is why assessing breath first is critical.