What is the first step in managing a casualty with suspected airway obstruction?

Checking for responsiveness is the first critical step in managing a casualty with a suspected airway obstruction. This step is essential because it helps assess the casualty's condition. By determining if the person is responsive, a rescuer can identify whether the airway is indeed obstructed and how to proceed. If the casualty is unresponsive, it indicates a potential airway compromise and necessitates further immediate actions.

Evaluating responsiveness allows the rescuer to assess the airway's status. If the casualty is responsive and can communicate, they may indicate the presence of airway obstruction, leading to appropriate subsequent actions like the Heimlich maneuver or other interventions. Conversely, if the casualty is unresponsive, this may require advanced airway management techniques to secure the airway promptly.

The other suggested actions, while critical in the context of casualty management, follow after assessing responsiveness. Initiating CPR could be life-saving but is only necessary if the casualty is unresponsive and not breathing. Providing supplemental oxygen is important for patients who have adequate ventilation but require additional oxygenation. Performing a cricothyrotomy is a last-resort measure in cases of severe airway obstruction when less invasive methods have failed. Therefore, establishing responsiveness is foundational for determining the next appropriate steps in airway management.