Final answer:
An unresponsive patient without a spinal injury should be placed in a supine position on the cot, which facilitates open airways and CPR if needed. The supine position is when a patient lies on their back, face up.
Step-by-step explanation:
Any patient who is unresponsive and has no spinal injury should be placed on the cot in the supine position. The supine position describes a patient lying on their back, face upwards. This is a critical step in patient care, as being in the supine position ensures open airways and can facilitate the performance of CPR if necessary. It is important to note that this refers to adult patients and not to infants; recommendations for infants, such as those to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), suggest placing infants on their backs without obstructions such as pillows or blankets.