Basic Airway Management
Step 3: Open the airway
In an unconscious patient, the most common cause of airway obstruction is the tongue. To alleviate the obstruction and open the airway, a simple maneuver such as the Head-Tilt/Chin-Lift Maneuver can be performed. Alternatively, a Jaw Thrust maneuver can be used if there is concern that a C-spine injury may be present.