The jaw thrust is a method of opening the airway of a patient. The airway is very important in first aid! It consists of the structures in the back of the throat and upper neck.

A patient who is unconscious is not able to maintain their own airway as it can become blocked by the tongue (see picture). 

Normally, first aid courses teach the head tilt – chin lift technique to open an airway. However, this airway manoeuvre involves significant movement of the patient’s neck. Therefore if there is any suspicion of a spinal (neck) injury it may cause further damage. 

When a neck/spinal injury is suspected, the jaw thrust technique can be used instead. 

The main aim of the jaw thrust is to bring the chin forwards without moving the neck. This lifts the tongue from the back of the airway and relieves obstruction.

How to Perform a Jaw Thrust

This is how you can perform a jaw thrust on someone:

• Place your hands on either side of the face of the patient.
• Make sure your thumbs are placed behind the angle of the person’s jawbone.
• Use your thumbs to lift the jawbone and push forward.
• As you do so, the airway will open up.
• Ensure to push up or pull on just the bony areas of the patient’s mandible.

Remember to not apply any pressure to the neck’s soft tissues as this can cause obstruction to the airway.

It is worth noting that there are a variety of different jaw thrust techniques used across the world. They all however have the same aim, to move the lower jaw forwards with minimal movement of the neck.

The following video nicely demonstrates one method of performing a jaw thrust:

The procedure of the jaw-thrust maneuver in first aid helps in preventing the tongue of a patient from causing obstruction to their upper airways. By knowing how to perform it, you can help those suffering from cervical neck issues or perhaps a suspected injury to the cervical spine.