What is the first step a BLS provider should take upon confirming an unresponsive individual with gasping?

The first step a Basic Life Support (BLS) provider should take upon confirming an unresponsive individual who is gasping is to start high-quality chest compressions. When a person is unresponsive and exhibiting gasping, this typically indicates a severe reduction in blood flow and inadequate breathing. Gasping is not an effective form of breathing; therefore, it is essential to initiate chest compressions promptly to circulate blood and provide vital oxygen to the brain and other organs.

Starting high-quality chest compressions helps to maintain blood flow during cardiac arrest. The recommended rate is 100 to 120 compressions per minute at a depth of about 2 inches, allowing complete chest recoil between compressions to maximize blood return to the heart.

While the other options may seem important in the overall emergency response, the priority in this scenario is to maintain circulation as soon as possible. Immediate action to deliver compressions is critical for increasing the individual’s chance of survival until further help arrives or an automated external defibrillator (AED) can be utilized.