What is the initial step to take if you find someone unconscious but breathing?

When you encounter someone who is unconscious but breathing, the first action you should take is to place them in the recovery position. This position is crucial as it helps keep the airway clear and allows any fluids to drain from the mouth, reducing the risk of choking. By ensuring that the person is positioned safely, you are providing immediate care that can help prevent complications while waiting for emergency services to arrive.

The recovery position involves rolling the person onto their side, with one leg bent to keep them stable and their head tilted slightly back to maintain an open airway. This position is especially important because the individual is unresponsive and may not be able to protect their airway on their own due to a decreased level of consciousness.

Other actions, like administering CPR or checking for responsiveness, are more appropriate for situations where an individual is not breathing or has no pulse. While calling for emergency help is an essential step as well, it may often be done simultaneously or immediately after ensuring the person's safety in the recovery position. Thus, placing the person in the recovery position is the best initial step in managing an unconscious but breathing individual effectively.