When the person is breathing but unresponsive, what should you do first during the hands-on check?

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The main idea is to quickly scan for injuries and hazards on and around the person when they’re unresponsive but breathing. This hands-on check helps you spot anything life-threatening that needs immediate attention—like severe bleeding, deformities, or signs of head, neck, or spinal injury—and tells you what actions to take next, such as controlling bleeding or deciding whether it’s safe to move the person or place them in a recovery position. Since the person is breathing, you don’t start chest compressions right away; you first assess for injuries and dangers, then proceed with appropriate steps (call for help, monitor breathing, and provide care). Quick checks for bleeding, trauma, or other injuries around the body are essential because problems you detect here can worsen if not addressed or can influence how you position or move the person.