Head tilt/Chin lift

Head Tilt/Chin Lift is a procedure used in first aid and pre-hospital care to open the airway of a patient. It is a fundamental technique in Basic Life Support (BLS) and is often utilized in situations where airway obstruction is suspected, particularly in unconscious individuals who are not suspected of having a spinal injury. The technique is designed to prevent the tongue from blocking the upper airway and to ensure that the patient can breathe freely.

Indications

The head tilt/chin lift maneuver is indicated in patients who are unconscious or have an altered level of consciousness and are unable to maintain their own airway. It is particularly useful in cases of:

• Cardiac arrest
• Drug overdose
• Alcohol intoxication
• Head injury (without suspicion of cervical spine injury)

Contraindications

The primary contraindication for the head tilt/chin lift maneuver is a suspected spinal cord injury. In such cases, the jaw-thrust maneuver is recommended to minimize movement of the cervical spine.

Procedure

The head tilt/chin lift maneuver is performed by following these steps:

1. Ensure the patient is lying on their back on a firm surface.
2. Stand or kneel at the top of the patient's head.
3. Place one hand on the patient's forehead and apply gentle backward pressure to tilt the head back.
4. Place the fingertips of the other hand under the point of the patient's chin and lift the chin upward, ensuring that the mouth is slightly open.

It is important to avoid pressing too hard on the soft tissues under the chin as this can block the airway.

Complications

If not performed correctly, the head tilt/chin lift maneuver can potentially worsen airway obstruction. Care must be taken to ensure that excessive force is not used, particularly when tilting the head backward.

Training

The head tilt/chin lift maneuver is taught in various first aid, CPR, and BLS courses. Regular training and practice are essential to perform the technique effectively in an emergency.

See Also

• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• Airway management
• Jaw-thrust maneuver
• Recovery position

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