head tilt-chin lift

Maneuver of choice for opening patient's airway provided neck injury is not suspected. One hand is place on the patient's forehead & pressure is applied firmly to tilt the head backward. At the same time, the index & middle fingers of the other hand are placed under the patient's chin to displace the mandible anteriorly. This movement raises the tongue away from the posterior pharynx, thus opening the airway.

References

Manual of Medical Therapeutics, 28th ed, Ewald & McKenzie (eds), Little, Brown & Co, Boston, 1995, pg 170