NREMT Skillset/Airway Opening with Head Tilt and Chin Lift
| Part of | NREMT Skillset |
|---|---|
| Subskill of | Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Medical Patient Assessment for Altered Mental Status (AEIOUTIPS) Medical Patient Assessment for Chest Pain (OPQRST) Medical Patient Assessment for Respiratory Distress (PASTE) |
| Acting roles | EMR emergency medical responder EMT emergency medical technician paramedic |
| Pathologies | compromised airway |
| Body systems | respiratory system |
| Body parts | head |
Tilt the patient's head back by pushing down on the forehead. Place the tips of your index and middle fingers under the chin and pull up on the mandible (not on the soft tissues). This lifts the tongue away from the posterior pharynx and improves airway patency. Be sure to pull up only on the bony parts of the mandible. Pressure to the soft tissues of the neck may obstruct the airway.
| Authors | GSTC |
|---|---|
| License | CC-BY-SA-4.0 |
| Cite as | GSTC (2020–2025). "NREMT Skillset/Airway Opening with Head Tilt and Chin Lift". Appropedia. Retrieved June 3, 2026. |