What maneuvers can be utilized to clear an airway?

The head-tilt-chin-lift maneuver and the jaw thrust maneuver are effective techniques used to open and clear the airway. The head-tilt-chin-lift maneuver involves tilting the head back slightly while lifting the chin to move the tongue away from the back of the throat, which can help alleviate airway obstruction caused by the tongue. This method is commonly employed for patients who are not suspected of having a spinal injury.

The jaw thrust maneuver, on the other hand, is particularly useful in cases where spinal injury is a concern. This technique involves pushing the jaw forward without tilting the head, which helps to clear the airway while minimizing neck movement. Both of these maneuvers are critical components of basic airway management, providing immediate relief in situations where airway obstruction poses a life-threatening risk.

In contrast, other options like neck compression may inadvertently obstruct the airway or cause further injury, while rapid sequence intubation and oxygen administration are interventions that come into play later in advanced airway management rather than primary steps in initial airway clearing.