What is the first step you should take if a child at a baseball game collapses after being struck in the chest?

The first step when a child collapses after being struck in the chest is to check for responsiveness and breathing. This is crucial because it allows you to assess the situation and determine the severity of the child's condition. If the child is unresponsive, you can then call for help and initiate appropriate emergency procedures.

Assessing responsiveness involves gently tapping the child and shouting to see if they respond. If the child does not respond, checking for breathing is equally important since abnormal or absent breathing would indicate the need for immediate intervention like CPR.

Taking this initial step to check responsiveness and breathing helps prioritize actions based on the child's current state. Only after determining the child’s responsiveness and breathing status should you move on to calling 9-1-1 or starting CPR if necessary. This systematic approach ensures that you are acting effectively and efficiently in a potentially life-threatening situation.