Which maneuver opens the airway for a single rescuer?

Which maneuver opens the airway for a single rescuer?

• A. Jaw thrust.
• B. Hyperextension.
• C. Neck rotation.
• D. Head tilt, chin lift.

Answer: (D)

Opening the airway means moving the tongue and soft tissues out of the way so air can pass into the lungs. For a single rescuer who isn’t concerned about a spinal injury, the head tilt, chin lift is the quickest and simplest way to do this. Gently tilt the head back and lift the chin so the airway aligns from the mouth through the throat. This clears obstructions created by the tongue and soft tissues and makes rescue breaths easier and more effective. The jaw thrust is used when a spinal injury is suspected because it preserves neck alignment, but it’s a more technical move that isn’t as quick or as universally effective for a lone rescuer in an uncomplicated scenario. Hyperextension can worsen airway obstruction, and turning the head (neck rotation) can also block the airway rather than open it. So, in a single-rescuer situation with no spinal injury concern, the head tilt, chin lift opens the airway best.

Opening the airway means moving the tongue and soft tissues out of the way so air can pass into the lungs. For a single rescuer who isn’t concerned about a spinal injury, the head tilt, chin lift is the quickest and simplest way to do this. Gently tilt the head back and lift the chin so the airway aligns from the mouth through the throat. This clears obstructions created by the tongue and soft tissues and makes rescue breaths easier and more effective.

The jaw thrust is used when a spinal injury is suspected because it preserves neck alignment, but it’s a more technical move that isn’t as quick or as universally effective for a lone rescuer in an uncomplicated scenario. Hyperextension can worsen airway obstruction, and turning the head (neck rotation) can also block the airway rather than open it. So, in a single-rescuer situation with no spinal injury concern, the head tilt, chin lift opens the airway best.