Performing the chin-lift or jaw-thrust maneuver is the best way to open the airway in an unresponsive patient. These noninvasive methods should be a priority before placing airway adjuncts such as a nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal airway. The goal is to keep the airway in a neutral position by moving the tongue away from the back of the throat.

Chin-Lift Maneuver

The chin-lift maneuver should be used when there are no signs of a possible neck fracture. The rescuer places the fingers of one hand under the mandible and lifts the jaw upward, moving the chin anteriorly. The thumb of the same hand slightly depresses the lower lip to open the mouth. The rescuer places a thumb against the lower central incisors and lifts the mandible so that the incisors are anterior to the maxillary central incisors. Placing the other hand on the child’s forehead, the rescuer gently tilts the head into a neutral position.

Chin-Lift Maneuver

Jaw-Thrust Maneuver

When there is a potential neck or spinal fracture, the jaw-thrust maneuver should be performed.

The rescuer grasps the angle of the lower jaw on each side, using the left hand on the left side and the right hand on the right side. Moving the mandible forward, they push the lower central incisor anteriorly. If there is no reason to suspect a neck injury, the rescuer tilts the head slightly if the jaw-thrust alone does not adequately open the airway.

Jaw-Thrust Maneuver