CPR Airway Opening: Head Tilt/Chin Lift & Jaw Thrust - A Step-by-Step Guide

Head Tilt/Chin Lift

1. Kneel beside the person and place the heel of one hand on their forehead. Place your other hand underneath the person's neck and lift the chin to open the airway. Be sure to keep the head in a neutral position to avoid blocking the airway.

2. Look, listen, and feel for breathing. Count to 10. Open the airway. Give two breaths. Open the airway.

Jaw-Thrust Maneuver

If the head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver does not open the airway, or if the person has a suspected spinal injury, use the jaw-thrust maneuver to open the airway.

1. Place the pads of your thumbs on either side of the person's jaw, below the angle of the jaw. Grasp the jaw and lift it upward and forward, pushing the lower jaw out and down.

2. Be sure to keep the head in a neutral position to avoid blocking the airway. Look, listen, and feel for breathing. Count to 10. Open the airway. Give two breaths. Open the airway.