What is the recommended method for opening an airway in an unconscious person?

The head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver is the recommended method for opening an airway in an unconscious person because it effectively lifts the tongue away from the back of the throat, allowing air to pass freely into the lungs. This technique is particularly useful when a person is unresponsive and requires ventilation assistance.

In this maneuver, the rescuer places one hand on the forehead and uses the other hand to lift the chin upwards. This action helps to stabilize the head and prevent it from blocking the airway, which is critical in emergency situations where compromised breathing could lead to further medical complications.

Alternative methods like the jaw thrust can be used, especially in suspected spinal injuries, but the head-tilt/chin-lift is generally more effective in a wider range of unconscious individuals. Other options, such as forehead tilt and shoulder lift, do not provide the same degree of airway clearance and are not standard practices recommended for resuscitation efforts.