Which technique is used to open the airway of an adult who has drowned?

• A. Jaw thrust
• B. Head tilt-chin lift
• C. Mouth-to-mouth with no tilt
• D. Nasal airway

Answer: (A)

Opening the airway with a jaw thrust is chosen when there is any risk of neck or spinal injury, which is a common concern in drowning cases. The jaw thrust lifts the lower jaw forward without tilting the head, keeping the cervical spine in a neutral position while creating space for air to flow. This protects the neck while still allowing rescue breaths to be delivered.

In contrast, the head tilt–chin lift moves the head back and can exacerbate a neck or spinal injury, so it’s avoided when spinal injury is possible. Mouth-to-mouth with no tilt may fail to open the airway adequately, and a nasal airway aids airflow but isn’t a ventilation method on its own. So, the safest, most effective option when neck injury is a possibility is the jaw thrust.