Which airway maneuver is preferred for a casualty with suspected spinal injury?

• A. Head tilt chin lift
• B. Jaw thrust
• C. Valsalva maneuver
• D. Mouth-to-mouth rescue

Answer: (B)

Opening the airway while keeping the neck still is the priority when a spinal injury is suspected. The jaw-thrust maneuver achieves this by stabilizing the head and neck and lifting the jaw forward to open the airway, without extending the neck. This minimizes movement of the cervical spine and reduces the risk of worsening any injury. In contrast, the head-tilt chin-lift requires extending the neck to open the airway, which can aggravate a spinal injury. The Valsalva maneuver isn’t a technique for opening the airway at all—it’s a breathing maneuver used in different situations and doesn’t provide a reliable airway opening. Mouth-to-mouth rescue is a ventilation method that typically involves more neck movement and carries infection concerns; it also isn’t the primary technique for quickly securing an airway in someone with potential spinal injury. So, the jaw-thrust is the best choice because it opens the airway effectively while preserving spinal alignment.