What is a critical step to remember when performing CPR on an unresponsive choking victim?

When performing CPR on an unresponsive choking victim, opening the airway for breaths and looking for the obstruction is a critical step. This is essential because an unresponsive victim may have a foreign object lodged in their airway, and traditional CPR (which includes rescue breaths) may not be effective in clearing the obstruction.

Once the airway is opened, the rescuer can visually assess whether an object is present and, if visible, attempt to remove it. If rescue breaths are administered without checking for airway obstructions first, the trapped object could further complicate the situation. Addressing the choking hazard directly by inspecting the airway is vital to ensuring that airflow can be restored, which is the primary goal when caring for a choking victim, especially when they are unresponsive.