Figure 3-3. Opening the airway: jaw-thrust method.

(1)

Kneel behind the casualty's head.

(2)

Rest your elbows on the surface on which the casualty is lying.

(3)

Place one hand on each side of the casualty's head.

(4) Place the tips of your index and middle fingers under the angles of the

casualty's jaw. (This is done on both sides of the casualty's jaw.)

(5) Place your thumbs on the casualty's jaw just below the level of the teeth.

The thumbs will keep the casualty's head from turning or tilting during the lift.

(6) Lift the jaw upward with your fingertips. The mouth should not be closed

as this could prevent air from entering the casualty's airway. Use your thumb to retract

the casualty's lower lip if needed.

(7) If the lift does not open his airway (tongue is still blocking the airway), lift

the jaw up a little further. If this is unsuccessful, tilt the casualty's head backward very

slightly. In accordance with (IAW) American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines 2005,

if you are unable to obtain an airway with the jaw-thrust method, the head-tilt/chin-lift

method should be used. The importance of maintaining a patent airway outweighs the

risk of spinal damage.

MD0532

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