What should a coach do first if a swimmer is unresponsive?

When a swimmer is unresponsive, the priority is to ensure their immediate safety and health by calling for emergency medical assistance. This action is critical because it activates the emergency response system, ensuring that professional medical help is on the way. Time is of the essence in emergency situations, especially with potential life-threatening conditions such as drowning or cardiac arrest.

In this scenario, after notifying emergency personnel, the coach can start to assess the swimmer's condition more thoroughly and take further actions like beginning CPR if trained and it is safe to do so. Notifying emergency services first guarantees that help is on the way while the coach can continue to provide care to the swimmer. This response aligns with standard emergency procedures in life-saving protocols where activating emergency services is often the first step in responding to an unresponsive individual.