Which of the following should be assessed first in an unconscious athlete?

In the scenario of an unconscious athlete, the most critical assessment to conduct first is the airway. The airway must be clear before any other assessments or interventions can be effectively made. If the airway is blocked, the athlete cannot breathe, which poses an immediate threat to life.

When an athlete is unconscious, their ability to protect their airway is compromised, and they might not be able to respond if they choke or if fluid obstructs their airway. Therefore, ensuring that the airway is unobstructed allows for adequate ventilation, which is vital for sustaining life and completing subsequent assessments or treatments.

Once the airway is confirmed to be clear, assessments can then proceed logically to check for breathing and circulation to address the athlete's overall condition. However, addressing the airway first is paramount because if breathing is impaired due to airway obstruction, any assessment of circulation may be too late, underscoring the importance of this initial step.