The jaw thrust is an airway opening manoeuvre used by first aiders and healthcare professionals when managing an unconscious patient, particularly where there is concern about a possible neck or spinal injury. Unlike the head-tilt chin-lift manoeuvre, the jaw thrust avoids extending the neck and is therefore preferred in situations where cervical spine injury cannot be ruled out.
To perform a jaw thrust, the rescuer places their hands on either side of the patient’s head, with fingers hooked under the angle of the jaw. The jaw is then displaced firmly forwards and upwards, which lifts the base of the tongue away from the back of the throat (the pharynx) and opens the airway. Once the airway is open, the rescuer can assess for normal breathing and begin resuscitation if needed.
In cardiac arrest management, opening and maintaining the airway is part of the basic life support sequence. For lay bystanders, the head-tilt chin-lift is the recommended technique; the jaw thrust is typically taught to healthcare professionals and advanced first aiders who may encounter trauma situations. In either case, the priority is to open the airway quickly and effectively to allow rescue breaths and assess breathing before commencing CPR.
If airway management is needed for a prolonged period (such as in the hospital setting), more definitive airway devices such as a supraglottic airway or endotracheal tube are used.
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