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Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR): First aid

Airway: Open the adult's airway

If you're trained in CPR and sure about your skills, the American Heart Association encourages you to do compressions and rescue breaths when possible.

After the first 30 chest compressions, follow these steps to open the person's airway. This is called the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver. Do not do the head-tilt, chin-life maneuver if there is a possible neck injury.

  1. Put your palm on the person's forehead.
  2. Gently tilt the person's head back.
  3. With the other hand, gently lift the person's chin forward to open the airway.