After you secure the safety of the scene following a collapsed witness, what is the next step?

After you secure the safety of the scene following a collapsed witness, what is the next step?

• A. Ask Where It Hurts
• B. Check Breathing
• C. Call for backup
• D. Check for responsiveness

Answer: (B)

After ensuring the area is safe, the immediate priority is to determine if the person is breathing. Checking breathing quickly reveals whether the airway is effectively delivering air and whether ventilation is needed. If breathing is absent or abnormal, you know you must start rescue breaths or CPR and call for backup. If breathing is present, you can position the person safely and monitor them while help arrives. Asking about injuries isn’t helpful when someone is collapsed and unresponsive, and while checking responsiveness is important, determining breathing first directly guides whether life-saving ventilation is required.

After ensuring the area is safe, the immediate priority is to determine if the person is breathing. Checking breathing quickly reveals whether the airway is effectively delivering air and whether ventilation is needed. If breathing is absent or abnormal, you know you must start rescue breaths or CPR and call for backup. If breathing is present, you can position the person safely and monitor them while help arrives. Asking about injuries isn’t helpful when someone is collapsed and unresponsive, and while checking responsiveness is important, determining breathing first directly guides whether life-saving ventilation is required.