What is the first action to take if you find an unresponsive person lying face down?

The first action to take when finding an unresponsive person lying face down is to roll them onto their back carefully. This step is crucial for a few reasons. First, this position allows you to assess the person's airway, which is vital for effective CPR. An unresponsive individual may have a blocked airway due to their position, and rolling them onto their back opens up the airway to ensure they can breathe.

By rolling the person carefully, you also minimize the risk of causing any further injury, particularly to the neck or spine, which is an important consideration in emergency situations. Assessing the individual in a supine position also allows you to better evaluate their condition, check for any signs of breathing, and determine if CPR is needed.

While calling for emergency services is essential and should happen as soon as possible, it must follow the immediate action of ensuring that the airway is open and the person is ready for further assessment and possible intervention. Administering CPR or checking for breathing cannot occur until the person is safely positioned on their back.