St John Ambulance – Opening of Airways

St John Ambulance – Opening of Airways

Opening of airway

                 Perform a head tilt-chin lift man oeuvre to open the airway if there is no evidence of head and neck injuries. In the unresponsive state, muscle tone is impaired resulting in the tongue falling backward and obstructing the airway. As the tongue is attached  to the lower jaw, moving the lower jaw forward will lift the tongue away from the back of the throat and open the airway.

To perform a head tilt-chin lift man oeuvre:

a. Place one hand on the casualty’s forehead and apply firm backward pressure with your palm to tilt the head back.

b. Place the fingers of your other hand under the bony part of the lower jaw to lift  the jaw forward.

Note:

• Do not press deeply into the soft tissues under the chin as this might obstruct the airway

• Do not use your thumb to lift the chin

• If head or neck injury is suspected, perform a jaw thrust or a gentle chin lift

CONTACT US:

ST.JOHN AMBULANCE

No.714, 1st Floor, MTH Road, Mannurpet,
Padi, Chennai – 600050.

 Ph :   044-26242318.
Cell:   8056079747, 

           9840799786

Email: stjohn77@yahoo.co.in,

stjohnambattur@gmail.com

stjohnambulancepadi@gmail.com