What should you do to initiate CPR on a suspected choking victim who is unresponsive?

To initiate CPR on a suspected choking victim who is unresponsive, the correct action is to call for help and then begin CPR. This procedure ensures that emergency medical services (EMS) are on the way while you take immediate action to assist the victim.

When a person is unresponsive due to choking, it is critical to activate the emergency response system immediately. This increases the chances of survival by ensuring that professional help is coming as you perform CPR, which is vital for maintaining blood circulation and oxygenation.

Once help is called, you can begin CPR, which involves chest compressions and rescue breaths. This method helps to circulate blood and provide oxygen to vital organs, especially the brain, which can suffer damage if deprived of oxygen for too long.

In contrast, starting rescue breaths immediately without calling for help first can delay the arrival of additional support. Checking for a pulse might not be the best course of action since the priority is to start CPR without delay if the victim isn't responsive. Performing abdominal thrusts on an unresponsive victim isn’t appropriate at that moment, as the focus should be on initiating CPR rather than trying to relieve choking in the absence of responsiveness.