NOTE:
This technique is very successful in opening the airway, but it is tiring to the
rescuer and difficult to perform.
CAUTION:
If you think the casualty has a neck injury, use the jaw-thrust method
without the head-lift. If the jaw-thrust method does not open the airway,
then use the head-tilt method.
Figure 1-2. Establishing an airway A Head-tilt/chin-lift method. B Jaw-thrust method.
d. Checking for Breathing. Check to see if the casualty is breathing. Many
times, opening the airway is all that is needed to restore breathing in an unconscious
person. While you are doing the check, maintain the casualty's airway using the head-
tilt/chin-lift or the jaw-thrust method.
NOTE : This is the first time you actually check to see if the casualty is breathing. Even
if an unconscious casualty is breathing when you find him, his breathing could
deteriorate or stop altogether while you are performing other measures. That is
why you must take the precaution of positioning the casualty and establishing
an airway.
(1) Place your ear over the casualty's mouth and nose and look towards the
casualty's chest (figure 1-3). For the best results, your ear should be touching his nose.
Figure 1-3. Checking a casualty for breathing by the head-tilt/chin-lift method.
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