If a lifeguard finds an unresponsive person at the pool, what is the first action they should take?

The first action a lifeguard should take when encountering an unresponsive person at the pool is to check for breathing and call for emergency assistance. This step is crucial because it ensures that the lifeguard can assess the immediate condition of the individual and determine if they require resuscitation or other emergency interventions.

By checking for breathing, the lifeguard can evaluate whether the person is in need of CPR or other life-saving measures. If the person is not breathing, initiating CPR becomes a priority. Simultaneously, calling for emergency assistance ensures that additional help is on the way, which is vital in a life-threatening situation. This two-pronged approach allows for the most effective response to the emergency, providing immediate care while also securing the necessary support from emergency medical services.

Attempting to wake the person up through shouting or other measures may delay the critical steps that need to be taken, especially if the individual requires immediate medical attention. Performing a safety inspection is irrelevant in this emergency context since the priority is the well-being of the unresponsive individual. Initiating rescue breathing is also premature without first assessing the person's breathing status and calling for additional help. Therefore, checking for breathing and alerting emergency services is the correct sequence of actions.