What should a combat medic do first if a patient has lost consciousness?

When a patient loses consciousness, the priority is to ensure that their airway is open and that they are breathing effectively. An unresponsive patient is at significant risk for airway obstruction, particularly if they do not have a protective airway reflex. By assessing the airway and breathing first, the combat medic can determine if immediate interventions are needed, such as repositioning the head to open the airway or initiating rescue breathing if the patient is not breathing.

Checking the pulse, administering oxygen, or calling for additional medical support are important steps that may follow, but they depend on the initial assessment of the airway and breathing. Without a secure airway, interventions like administering oxygen may be ineffective or even harmful. Therefore, the priority remains on assessing and ensuring airway patency and breathing adequacy to prevent further complications and to provide the best chance of recovery for the patient.