What should you do if the person becomes unresponsive during the sequence of airway obstruction management?

If the person becomes unresponsive during the sequence of airway obstruction management, the appropriate action is to carefully lower the individual to a firm, flat surface and begin CPR. When a person is unresponsive, they cannot breathe or respond to stimuli, indicating a life-threatening emergency. In this situation, the priority shifts from attempting to relieve the airway obstruction to initiating CPR, as the unresponsiveness suggests that oxygenated blood is not circulating, which can lead to brain damage or death within minutes.

In this context, it is critical to keep in mind that performing CPR involves chest compressions and rescue breaths, which help restore blood circulation and oxygen to vital organs. While maneuvering to clear an airway obstruction, if the person loses consciousness, CPR becomes the immediate necessary intervention because it provides both circulation and oxygenation.

Other options address measures that are either ineffective or inappropriate in an unresponsive situation, emphasizing the importance of understanding the correct protocol for handling severe airway problems.