In an emergency, what should you do if you encounter a victim who is unresponsive?

When encountering an unresponsive victim, the vital action to take is to check for a pulse and initiate CPR if necessary. This response is grounded in the principles of emergency care, where immediate action can be crucial in saving a life. When a person is unresponsive, it often indicates a potential medical emergency, such as cardiac arrest, where the individual may not be breathing or may have ineffective breathing.

Checking for a pulse allows you to determine whether the heart is still functioning. If no pulse is detected, administering CPR can provide artificial circulation and oxygenation to vital organs, helping to keep the victim alive until professional medical help arrives. CPR combines chest compressions with rescue breaths to maintain blood flow and oxygen to the body, which is critical in these situations.

In contrast, leaving the victim alone for safety ignores the immediate need for intervention, as the person may need urgent medical response. Administering water could lead to choking or further complicate the situation, and calling the victim's family does not provide the necessary immediate care that is required in an emergency. Therefore, initiating CPR upon discovering an unresponsive victim is the most appropriate and lifesaving response.