How can you check if a victim is conscious?

Rolling the victim into the recovery position is an important technique used for checking consciousness and ensuring the victim's safety. When a lifeguard or responder suspects that a person might be unconscious, gently rolling them into this position allows for better assessment and can keep the airway clear in case of vomiting or fluid pooling.

By placing the person in the recovery position, you can monitor their breathing and responsiveness more effectively. If the individual is conscious, they may respond to the movement or verbal prompts in that position. This method also promotes safety by preventing choking risks associated with an unconscious person lying flat on their back.

Other methods for checking consciousness, such as looking for feedback or speaking loudly and shaking them, can be disruptive or inappropriate, especially if the person is injured. Administering breaths is a critical step in cases of CPR rather than a method to assess consciousness and should not be performed unless the responder has determined the victim is not breathing.