What is the first priority for an unresponsive patient during an emergency response?

For an unresponsive patient, assessing the airway is the first priority during an emergency response. The airway must be clear to ensure that the patient can breathe properly. If a patient is unresponsive, they may not be able to maintain their own airway due to loss of consciousness, which increases the risk of airway obstruction. Therefore, the immediate action should focus on checking if the airway is open and ensuring that the patient can receive adequate ventilation.

If the airway is not properly assessed and cleared if necessary, other interventions may be ineffective. For instance, checking for a pulse or providing oxygen therapy is important, but they become secondary if the airway is blocked. The focus on airway management is foundational in emergency medical care, following the principle that "airway comes first."