What should be the initial action when encountering an unresponsive adult?

When encountering an unresponsive adult, the initial action should be to call for emergency assistance. This step is crucial because, in a medical emergency, timely intervention can significantly improve outcomes. By activating the emergency response system, you ensure that help is on the way while you assess the situation further. It also allows you to focus on providing care to the patient without delay.

After ensuring emergency services have been contacted, you would then proceed to check for responsiveness and breathing. If the individual is not breathing or only gasping, you would begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as the next vital step. Starting CPR immediately without calling for help first can lead to delays in advanced care, which is why the initial action should prioritize alerting emergency services.