What should you do first when you see someone collapse?

In an emergency situation where you see someone collapse, the first step is to check for responsiveness and call 911. This is crucial as it helps to assess whether the person is conscious and capable of responding. If the person is unresponsive, it's important to promptly alert emergency services, as swift medical intervention can be critical in cases like cardiac arrest or severe injury.

Calling for help ensures that trained medical personnel can arrive on the scene as soon as possible, increasing the chances of a better outcome for the individual who has collapsed. While it may be instinctive to perform CPR immediately or to look for injuries, doing so without confirming the emergency status and notifying emergency responders could delay critical aid. Waiting for someone else to assist may leave the unresponsive person without immediate support when they may need it the most. Therefore, checking for responsiveness and alerting emergency services is the most essential first step.