What is the first action Michelle should take when she sees a person not breathing?

In a situation where a person is not breathing, the priority is to initiate life-saving measures promptly. Starting CPR right away is critical because it helps circulate blood and oxygen to vital organs, thereby increasing the chances of survival until professional help arrives.

Immediately beginning CPR is essential in cases of cardiac arrest or respiratory failure, as every second counts in restoring normal breathing or circulation. This action can be performed even if you are unsure of the person's pulse status, as the absence of breathing is a clear indicator that immediate resuscitation efforts are needed.

While seeking help and checking for a pulse are important components of emergency response, they should not delay the initiation of CPR when breathing is absent. Therefore, the most appropriate first response in this scenario is to start CPR.