What should rescuers do if they encounter a victim who is unresponsive?

When encountering a victim who is unresponsive, the appropriate course of action is to assess the victim and initiate emergency medical procedures as required. This is crucial because an unresponsive victim may need immediate medical attention, and prompt action can be the difference between life and death.

Assessing the victim involves checking for signs of responsiveness, breathing, and circulation. If the victim is not breathing or does not have a pulse, rescuers must begin CPR and possibly use an automated external defibrillator (AED) if available. These steps are vital components of emergency medical response protocols and ensure that the victim receives necessary life-saving care as quickly as possible.

In contrast, performing a head count does not directly address the immediate medical needs of an unresponsive victim, and it can waste precious time. Moving on to look for more victims without assessing the current victim can lead to neglecting someone who may need urgent help. While contacting Incident Command can be important in certain situations, it should not take precedence over directly providing care to an unresponsive victim in a rescue scenario. Rescuers must prioritize immediate interventions for those in critical condition.