After finding a victim unresponsive and not breathing, what is the correct order of next steps?

The most appropriate next steps after finding a victim unresponsive and not breathing is to call 9-1-1, position the victim, expose the chest, and then give breaths. This sequence is crucial because it prioritizes alerting emergency services, which is essential for getting professional medical help on the way.

After making the call, positioning the victim ensures that they are in a safe and effective position for providing care. Exposing the chest allows for better visibility and access for delivering rescue breaths or starting CPR. Giving breaths is particularly important if you are trained in providing rescue breaths and the situation involves a presumed cardiac arrest or respiratory issue, where maintaining oxygenation is critical.

Starting with calling for help also ensures that assistance will arrive in a timely manner while you are providing care. This step is vital in emergencies where swift medical intervention can make a significant difference in the outcome. Overall, this approach aligns with established protocols for managing unresponsive patients who are not breathing, thereby creating a systematic way to address the situation effectively.