Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

3 Airway and Breathing

SKILL

To clear the airway

• Kneel beside the patient. • Support the head and neck as you roll the patient on their side into the recovery position (see pg: 55). Take c-spine precautions as needed. • If no injury to the jaw is suspected, grasp the chin to open the mouth by pulling the lower jaw down and away. Do not put your fingers in the mouth as even an unconscious patient can have a bite reflex. • Allow blood, fluid, and other debris to drain from the mouth and nose. • Repeat as necessary during aid. If injury allows, then use the recovery position to help keep the airway clear for both conscious and unconscious patients.

clearing the airway

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