Head-tilt chin-lift: Airway management, intervention, patency, obstruction, assessment

Head-tilt chin-lift is a technique used in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to open the airway of an unconscious patient. It ensures that the patient has an open airway and can breathe properly. This technique is an essential component of Basic Life Support (BLS) and is one of the first steps in performing CPR. Medical BLS certification courses provide healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform head tilt-chin lift and other life-saving techniques effectively.

Airway management is essential for successful CPR, as it ensures that oxygen can reach the lungs and circulate throughout the body. The head-tilt chin-lift involves tilting the patient's head back slightly while lifting their chin forward with one hand. This opens up the airway, allowing oxygen to flow freely into the lungs. The other hand should be placed on the forehead to keep it from moving too far back. This technique should only be used on an unconscious patient with no gag reflex or other signs of life.

Obstruction: When performing this technique, it is important to assess whether there are any obstructions in the airway, such as vomit or foreign objects, that could prevent oxygen from entering the lungs. If there are any obstructions, they must be removed before attempting this maneuver.

Patency: Once an open airway has been established using head-tilt chin-lift, it is important to assess for patency by listening for breath sounds and feeling for chest rise and fall with your hands placed on either side of the chest wall.

Intervention: If no breath sounds are heard, or there is no chest rise and fall, rescue breaths must be given immediately using a bag valve mask (BVM).