Final answer:
The proper head position when checking an unconscious victim for breathing is to tilt their head back and lift their chin to open the airway, unless a spinal injury is suspected, in which case a jaw-thrust should be used. If the victim is not breathing and has no pulse, CPR should be initiated with chest compressions at a rate of 100 per minute.
Step-by-step explanation:
Proper Head Position for Checking Breathing in an Unconscious Victim
When checking an unconscious victim for breathing, the proper head position is to gently tilt the victim's head back and lift their chin. This opens the airway by pulling the tongue away from the back of the throat. Look for chest movements, listen for breathing sounds, and feel for breath on your cheek and ear. In situations where a spinal injury is suspected, the head-tilt should be avoided, and the jaw-thrust technique should be used to open the airway instead.
CPR and the Check-Call-Care Procedure
In cases where the victim is not breathing and has no pulse, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be initiated. CPR involves compressing the chest at least 5 cm deep and at a rate of 100 compressions per minute. The hands should be positioned on the sternum between the lines at T4 and T9 to properly compress the heart and facilitate blood flow.