The American Red Cross Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Practice Test

When encountering an unresponsive adult, the first step to take is to call 911 and then start CPR. This option emphasizes the importance of securing emergency assistance promptly, which is crucial when someone is unresponsive and potentially experiencing a life-threatening situation. By notifying emergency services, you're ensuring that advanced medical help will be on the way, increasing the victim's chances of survival.

After calling 911, immediate action can then be taken to administer CPR. Although checking for responsiveness is important, it should be part of a sequence of actions that leads to calling for help. Starting CPR right away without securing emergency assistance could delay vital care that only trained responders can provide. Waiting for the victim to wake up is not an appropriate or safe response in such critical situations, as immediate intervention is often necessary to support circulation and breathing until help arrives.