Upon encountering an unconscious patient, what should be your immediate action?

When encountering an unconscious patient, the immediate action should be to assume implied consent and begin care. Implied consent is a legal principle that applies in emergency situations when a person is unable to give explicit consent due to their condition, such as being unconscious or incapacitated. In such cases, it is assumed that a reasonable person would want emergency medical assistance if they were able to make that decision themselves.

Taking prompt action can be critical in emergencies, as the condition of an unconscious patient may deteriorate rapidly, and delays in treatment could lead to serious complications or even death. By starting care immediately, you are performing your duty as a responder to provide aid to someone in need without delay.

Other options, such as seeking consent from family members or waiting for the patient to wake up, may lead to dangerous delays during which critical care could be required. Notifying law enforcement might be appropriate in certain situations, but it does not replace the urgent need to provide medical assistance to an unconscious individual.