What should you do before giving breaths to an unresponsive choking person?

Before giving breaths to an unresponsive choking person, it is crucial to open the mouth and look for an object. This step is important because the blockage due to an object is the primary concern in a choking situation. If the person is unresponsive, attempting to provide breaths without checking for an obstruction could lead to further complications, such as pushing the object deeper into the airway.

By visually inspecting the mouth, you can determine whether the airway is obstructed by a foreign object. If an object is present and can be safely removed, doing so may immediately restore airflow and alleviate the choking hazard. Once you have taken the necessary step to check for an obstruction, it is appropriate to proceed with further actions, which might include calling for emergency help or initiating rescue breaths if no object is found.

In contrast, while calling emergency services or performing abdominal thrusts may be relevant steps in other situations, they're not applicable before assessing the presence of an obstruction in this specific context. Placing the person on their side is typically a consideration after ensuring the airway is clear and can be part of the recovery position or managing other issues, but it is not the immediate priority before giving breaths.