ABSTRACT
The head tilt and chin lift is the airway manoeuvre of choice when cervical spine trauma is not suspected. To achieve this, the patient is placed on their back and the rescuer simultaneously lifts the patient’s chin whilst extending the patient’s head. This simple manoeuvre lifts the collapsed soft tissues and restores airway patency. Once the manoeuvre has been completed the rescuer can reassess the airway by looking for chest movement and feeling for the patient’s breath on their cheek. If the airway is patent and the patient is breathing spontaneously they can be placed in the recovery position. If the patient is not breathing, basic life support measures should commence.
