During an assessment, a 69-year-old male becomes unresponsive and pulseless. What is your next step?

In the scenario presented, where a 69-year-old male becomes unresponsive and pulseless, moving him onto a hard surface is essential for effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). When a patient is found unresponsive and without a pulse, immediate action is required to start chest compressions, which are a critical component of CPR to circulate blood and maintain oxygen delivery to the brain and other vital organs.

Positioning the patient on a hard surface allows for proper hand placement and effective compression. This hard surface facilitates deeper compressions, which significantly increases the chances of survival in cardiac arrest situations. Once the individual is correctly positioned, CPR should be initiated immediately while awaiting emergency medical services.

The other options, while they may seem appropriate in different contexts, do not address the immediate need for resuscitation in this case. For example, attempting to wake the patient or calling for help may delay crucial interventions, and positioning in the recovery position could hinder effective CPR. Thus, the prompt action of moving the patient onto a hard surface is the most critical step in this emergency situation.