Jaw thrust is an airway-opening manoeuvre used when a person may have a neck or spine injury. It helps bring the jaw forward to reduce airway blockage while limiting head movement.
What does jaw thrust mean?
Jaw thrust is a technique used to help open the airway by moving the lower jaw forward.
In first aid, it is mainly relevant when the person is unresponsive and you are worried that tilting the head back could worsen a neck injury.
When is jaw thrust used?
Jaw thrust may be considered when a person is:
- unresponsive
- not breathing normally
- suspected of having a neck or spine injury
- being assessed as part of Airway Management
This makes it different from Head-Tilt Chin-Lift, which is the standard airway-opening manoeuvre for most unresponsive people.
Why does jaw thrust matter?
An unconscious person can lose airway tone, which lets the tongue and soft tissues fall back and block airflow.
Jaw thrust tries to reduce that blockage while minimising head movement.
That matters most when trauma or a possible spinal injury changes how carefully the airway needs to be opened.
What should a first aider remember?
The main practical points are:
- call
000early in serious trauma or breathing emergencies - open the airway and check whether breathing is normal
- if the person is not breathing normally, move to CPR
- if the person is breathing normally, continue monitoring and use the Recovery Position when appropriate
On this site, Jaw Thrust is the alternative airway-opening page, while Head-Tilt Chin-Lift remains the standard technique page.
Is jaw thrust the same as head-tilt chin-lift?
No.
- Head-Tilt Chin-Lift is the standard manoeuvre for opening the airway in an unresponsive person
- Jaw Thrust is the more specific alternative when neck injury is a concern
That distinction is the main reason both pages should exist separately.
Quick answer
Jaw thrust is an airway-opening manoeuvre used when neck injury is a concern. It is the alternative to Head-Tilt Chin-Lift and fits into the broader Airway Management sequence for an unresponsive person.
Sources reviewed
- Healthdirect: first aid basics and DRSABCD
- Healthdirect: how to perform CPR
- ANZCOR Guideline 4: Airway
- ANZCOR Guideline 5: Breathing
Reviewed against Australian first aid and emergency guidance by the First Aid Glossary Editorial Team. This article is general information and does not replace emergency-operator directions, professional medical advice or hands-on first aid training.
