What should you do if a choking adult becomes unconscious?

Study for the American Heart Association First Aid Test. Access flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Prepare for success!

When an adult who is choking becomes unconscious, the immediate response should be to start CPR and check the airway for an obstruction. This is crucial because the individual is unable to breathe adequately due to the obstruction, and initiating CPR will help maintain blood flow to vital organs, including the brain and heart.

The process involves starting with chest compressions, which circulate oxygenated blood throughout the body, and during the rescue breaths, it's important to open the airway and check for any visible obstructions in the throat. If an obstruction is found, the appropriate course of action would be to attempt to clear it using the appropriate techniques, like the modified Heimlich maneuver or finger sweep if you can see the object.

This response not only aims to restore breathing but also addresses the immediate life-threatening situation, making it a critical action that is taught in first aid training. Other options would not effectively manage the life-threatening condition that choking presents.

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