Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

3 Airway and Breathing

Opening the Airway Opening the airway can often be done quickly and easily by tilting the patient’s head back and lifting the chin. This is the Head Tilt-Chin Lift maneuver . This simple technique moves the tongue forward so it does not block the airway. Sometimes it is all that’s required for a patient to resume breathing. Head-Tilt/Chin Lift SKILL

Head Tilt-Chin Lift 1. With the patient on their back, position yourself beside their head. Place the heel of your hand on the forehead and apply firm, backwards pressure with your palm. 2. Place the fingertips of your other hand under the bony part of the chin. Do not press the soft tissue of the chin as this can compress the airway. Lift the chin upwards, moving the jaw with it and helping to tilt the head back. This extends the neck and moves the tongue forward so it cannot block the airway. This procedure assumes no C-spine injury. Do not use your thumb to lift the chin. Lift so that the teeth are almost brought together but the mouth remains open. Continue to hold the forehead.

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