What is the Jaw Thrust Technique and When Should You Use It?

Louise Petty

September 11, 2026

5 min read

The jaw thrust technique is a first-aid technique used to help open the airway of an unresponsive person, particularly when you suspect they may have a spinal injury. Knowing how and when to use the jaw thrust technique is an important part of understanding CPR and the Primary Survey, as keeping the airway open is essential when assessing and caring for an unresponsive casualty. In this article, we’ll explain what the jaw thrust technique is, when it should be used and how to perform it safely.

First aid training with a manikin using jaw thrust technique

What is the Jaw Thrust Technique?

The jaw thrust technique, also known as the jaw thrust manoeuvre, is a way of opening a person’s airway without tilting their head backwards. It involves gently moving the lower jaw forwards while keeping the head and neck as still as possible.

When someone is unconscious or unresponsive, their muscles can relax and their tongue may fall backwards, partially blocking the airway. Moving the jaw forwards can help move the tongue away from the back of the throat and improve the flow of air.

The purpose of using the jaw thrust technique is to help maintain an open airway while minimising movement of the neck. This can be particularly important when a spinal injury is suspected.

The jaw thrust technique can be used by anyone, from trained first-aiders to members of the public responding to an emergency. However, first-aid guidance recommends that people act within their level of training and always seek emergency medical help when needed.

When to Use the Jaw Thrust Technique

The jaw thrust technique is used when an unresponsive casualty needs their airway opening and you suspect they may have a spinal injury. This could happen following an incident such as a fall from height, road traffic collision, sporting accident or another event that could have injured the neck or spine.

Signs that may indicate a spinal injury include:

Severe pain in the neck or back.
An inability to move the neck.
Weakness, numbness or an inability to move part of the body.
Loss of control of the limbs, bladder or bowels.

Normally, an unresponsive person who is not suspected of having a spinal injury can have their airway opened using the head tilt and chin lift technique. However, tilting the head backwards moves the neck and may not be appropriate when a spinal injury is identified.

If you identified during the Primary Survey that the casualty may have a spinal injury, you should have taken care to keep their body as still as possible with their head supported before and during CPR.

If the casualty is not breathing normally, call 999 and begin CPR. If they start breathing normally before help arrives but remain unresponsive, you need to carry out the jaw thrust technique instead of putting them into the usual recovery position. You must take care to move the casualty’s body as little as possible and never move their neck, as this could cause further harm.

Members of the public doing CPR and using the jaw thrust technique

Jaw Thrust Technique Steps

If you need to use the jaw thrust technique on an unresponsive person with a suspected spinal injury, the priority is to open their airway while keeping their head and neck as still as possible. When performing the technique, take particular care not to press on the soft tissues of the neck, as pressure in this area can obstruct the airway rather than opening it.

The jaw thrust technique steps are:

Kneel behind the casualty and support and steady their head, so that their head, neck, and spine are still.
Place your hands on either side of their face and spread your fingertips on the straight sides of their jaw, near the bottom of their jaw bone, and underneath their ears.
Keep your hands and wrists still and gently use your fingers to lift their jaw upwards, so that it’s moved towards you. Do not tilt their neck while you do so.
In this position, the casualty’s tongue has now moved forward inside their mouth. This opens their airway and enables them to breathe normally. Stay in this position supporting the casualty until emergency help arrives.

Professional displaying how to use the jaw thrust technique on a manikin

Using the Jaw Thrust Technique on Children and Infants

The same jaw thrust technique applies when opening the airway of a child or infant with a suspected spinal injury. Always minimise movement of the head and neck while opening the airway.

When performing a jaw thrust on a child or infant, use your fingers on the bony parts of the lower jawbone (the mandible) rather than pressing into the soft tissues around the neck or under the jaw. Applying pressure to the soft tissues of the neck or jaw could result in trauma. You should only spread the first two fingers of each hand on the straight sides of their jaw.

If the jaw thrust is unsuccessful, Resuscitation Council UK advises you to carefully and gradually tilt the casualty’s head until the airway is open.

If you are responding to an emergency involving a child or infant, follow the relevant first-aid or CPR guidance for their age and seek professional help as soon as possible.

The jaw thrust technique can help keep an unresponsive casualty’s airway open when a spinal injury may be present. The key is to move the jaw without moving the neck and to prioritise opening the airway. Further first-aid and CPR training can help you understand when and how to use this technique in an emergency.