What occurs first in CPR for a choking victim?

In CPR for a choking victim, looking for an obstruction each time you give breaths is essential because the primary focus is to clear the airway. When a person is choking and becomes unresponsive, it's crucial to first determine whether the airway is blocked by a foreign object. If a blockage is present, rescue breaths cannot be effectively delivered until the obstruction is cleared. This means that before administering breaths, rescuers should visually check for any obstructive material that could prevent air flow.

Checking for an obstruction promotes a safer approach to providing care, ensuring that efforts to revive the victim are effective. If the airway is clear, then rescue breaths can be administered. Meanwhile, rapid compressions or assuming the victim is unconscious are part of the broader CPR protocol but do not address the immediate need to clear the airway in a choking scenario.