I beleive that most of us are familiar with CPR. This hub is purely to educate on a certain portion of a basic step in starting out with CPR.... OPEN THE AIRWAY.

Some of us may be wondering as to why we have to open the airway in starting out with CPR. As you can see, when the person is unresponsive, the most likely thing that will happen is that the airway will be blocked by the tongue. The tongue will drop down towards the airway causing a natural obstruction.

This is the reason why, in CPR you have to OPEN THE AIRWAY

CLICK HERE AND READ HOW TO PERFORM CPR

Practically there are two ways to open the airway.

• Head Tilt Chin Lift Maneuver
• Jaw Thrust Maneuver

Both methods are very effective in opening the airway. For normal circumstances the head tilt chin lift maneuver can be utilized. However if you suspect a cervical injury, the jaw thrust maneuver is advised.

The "head til chin lift maneuver is done by placing one hand on the forehead and placing the fingers of the other hand on the chin. Once this is done the head is tilted slowly up. More pressure is applied on the forehead and less on the chin. Placing too much pressure on the chin will eventually close the mouth.

The jaw thrust maneuver is highly recommended on situations where neck or cervical injury is suspected. By using the jaw thrust maneuver, there is no movement on the neck or the cervical area. It is very important not to move the neck or tilt the head in cases of cervical injury or neck injury could cause more problems.

The jaw thrust maneuver is done by placing the four fingers of both hands on each side of the lower jaw. Once in place, the jaws are tilted upward making sure that the head and neck remains in position. By thrusting the jaws upward, this will also open the airway, allowing the responder to provide rescue breaths.

CLICK HERE ON HOW TO PERFORM RESCUE BREATHS OR MOUTH TO MOUTH RESUSCITATION