What should you do first if an infant appears unresponsive?

When an infant appears unresponsive, the first step should be to follow the shout-tap-shout sequence. This approach involves calling out to the infant, gently tapping their feet or shoulder, and observing their response. This technique is important because it helps determine whether the infant is truly unresponsive or might still be able to react, thereby ensuring that you have correctly assessed the situation before taking further action.

By confirming unresponsiveness through this sequence, you can then proceed with the appropriate interventions, such as calling for emergency help or starting CPR if necessary. This step serves as a critical part of the assessment process in emergency situations, ensuring that you respond appropriately based on the infant's state.

Other options, while relevant to emergency response, do not prioritize the immediate assessment of responsiveness in the same way. For example, beginning compressions is crucial only after confirming that the infant is unresponsive and not breathing normally, and checking the scene for safety is important but should not take precedence over assessing the infant's condition. Similarly, looking for signs of life, such as breathing, logically follows the initial assessment of responsiveness.