Basic Life Support (BLS) Practice Exam

The best first action when witnessing a 75-year-old man collapse and finding him unresponsive is to call for help. This action is crucial because it ensures that emergency medical services (EMS) are notified and on the way to provide advanced care. Time is critical in emergencies, particularly in cardiac arrest situations, and calling for help brings additional resources to the scene sooner.

After calling for help, if you're alone, you would then check for breathing and, if absent, begin chest compressions and retrieve an AED if available. However, the initial step of alerting emergency services ensures that professional assistance is on its way while you may continue performing life-saving measures.

This prioritization of calling for help aligns with BLS guidelines that emphasize the importance of having more trained personnel available, as well as having access to advanced medical intervention as quickly as possible.