Final answer:
To assist an unresponsive homeless person, start by ensuring personal and scene safety, then assess the individual's responsiveness, call for help, position them carefully on their back, and initiate CPR if required, while making sure emergency services are on their way.
Step-by-step explanation:
When you are dispatched for a homeless person found unresponsive, the priority is to assess and secure the airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs). First, you should ensure scene safety, then check responsiveness by assessing the person's level of consciousness. If the person is unresponsive, call for help immediately.
Initial Assessment
Since you've found the patient prone and unresponsive to pain, proceed with caution, taking into account spinal precautions. Gently roll the patient onto their back, while maintaining alignment of the head, neck, and spine, to properly assess their condition.
Emergency Response
After positioning the patient, check for breathing and a pulse. If the patient is not breathing or there is no pulse, begin CPR immediately following current guidelines. If you are trained and it's available, use an automated external defibrillator (AED) as soon as possible. While performing these lifesaving steps, ensure emergency medical services (EMS) have been activated and are on the way.Observing Bystander Effect
Note if the bystander effect is present and actively engage others to help if needed, ensuring that the person gets the assistance they require.
Immediately assess the situation, then call for help, position the person correctly, and begin CPR if needed, while waiting for emergency services to arrive.