What is the first action to take if a choking victim becomes unresponsive?

When a choking victim becomes unresponsive, the first action to take is to activate the emergency response system. This is critical because the situation indicates a severe emergency that requires immediate medical assistance. Calling for help ensures that trained medical personnel are on their way to provide interventions that might be beyond the scope of basic life support.

Adding to this, when a victim is unresponsive, they require immediate attention, and having emergency responders en route allows for quicker treatment once they arrive, especially since choking can lead to brain injury or death within minutes due to lack of oxygen. While other actions such as beginning rescue breathing or checking for a pulse might be critical steps afterward, activating the emergency response system is paramount to ensure professional emergency help is on the way as you address the victim's condition.