When approaching an unresponsive child at the base of monkey bars, what should you do first?

When approaching an unresponsive child, the priority is to ensure the child's safety and assess their condition effectively. Stabilizing the child's head and checking for a pulse is an essential step because it allows you to determine if the child has a heartbeat. This is particularly important in an emergency scenario where there might be a spinal injury, and moving the child's head or neck could potentially exacerbate any existing damage.

If the child is unresponsive, it's crucial to perform a quick assessment to identify if they are breathing and if there is a pulse. If the child does have a pulse, you can then focus on providing appropriate care without unnecessary movement. If they don’t have a pulse, this would then indicate the need for CPR. This systematic approach maintains spinal stability while assessing the child's immediate life signs, laying the foundation for any subsequent interventions needed.

In emergencies involving children, particularly ones involving potential falls or trauma, quick and correct assessment is vital, as it dictates the subsequent steps in emergency care.