In the context of basic life support, if a child is unresponsive after you tap his shoulders and shout, what should you do next?

• A. Check for normal breathing and call for emergency help.
• B. Begin chest compressions without checking for breathing.
• C. Immediately give the child something to drink.
• D. Leave the child alone to see if he wakes up.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Assess the situation to ensure it is safe for you to approach the child. This is critical to avoid putting yourself in danger.
2. Step 2: Confirm the child is unresponsive by tapping their shoulders and shouting to try to get a response. If there is no response, proceed to the next step.
3. Step 3: Check for normal breathing by observing the chest for movement and listening for breath sounds. This should take no more than 10 seconds.
4. Step 4: If the child is not breathing normally or is only gasping, call for emergency help immediately or instruct someone nearby to do so. If you are alone, use a phone to call emergency services while staying with the child.
5. Step 5: Begin chest compressions immediately. Place the heel of one hand on the center of the child’s chest and push hard and fast at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute. Do not give the child anything to drink or leave them alone.