What should be the first action taken by EMTs when dealing with a suspected obstructed airway?

When dealing with a suspected obstructed airway, the immediate and primary action conducted by EMTs is to perform the Heimlich maneuver, also known as abdominal thrusts, on the patient. This technique is specifically designed to remove an object blocking the airway, making it the most appropriate first step in this critical situation.

The Heimlich maneuver increases intra-abdominal pressure and can help expel the obstruction by forcing air from the lungs. By targeting the source of the obstruction directly, it allows the body’s own mechanisms to potentially clear the airway without resorting to more invasive procedures or equipment.

Other actions, such as checking the patient's pulse or beginning CPR, are not the priority at this moment, as they do not address the immediate threat of a blocked airway. Similarly, while administering airway adjuncts can be important in managing an airway, it is less effective when an obstruction is present, and therefore should not be the first step taken. The main focus in this scenario is to clear the airway and ensure the patient can breathe.