What is the initial action to take for a child with an obstructed airway who becomes unresponsive?

The initial action to take when a child with an obstructed airway becomes unresponsive is to gently lower the child and begin CPR. This is crucial because an unresponsive child is likely not breathing and may require immediate life-saving interventions. Starting CPR not only provides chest compressions to circulate blood but also includes rescue breaths, which help to provide oxygen. The process of CPR is essential in maintaining oxygen flow to vital organs, particularly the brain and heart, until further help can arrive.

In cases of airway obstruction where a child becomes unresponsive, the previous attempts to relieve the obstruction (such as back blows) are no longer effective. Therefore, initiating CPR is a critical step. While calling for emergency assistance is important, it is typically done after providing immediate care, which emphasizes the urgency of starting CPR first to provide the child a chance for survival. Checking the child's pulse is also not the initial action you would take in this urgent situation, as immediate intervention is prioritized over assessing the pulse when responsiveness and breathing are compromised.