Before giving breaths in adult CPR, what technique is used to open the airway?

The head-tilt chin-lift technique is the appropriate method for opening the airway before giving breaths in adult CPR. This maneuver effectively tilts the head backward while lifting the chin, which helps to elevate the tongue away from the back of the throat. When a person is unresponsive, the tongue can fall back and block the airway, making it difficult to provide effective rescue breaths. By using the head-tilt chin-lift, you ensure that the airway is unobstructed, allowing air to flow freely into the lungs.

In contrast, the jaw thrust maneuver is also used to open the airway but is typically applied when there is a suspicion of spinal injury. It avoids tilting the head backward, which can exacerbate any potential spinal damage. The double chin method and modified CPR position are not standard techniques recognized for opening the airway during CPR, making the head-tilt chin-lift the most appropriate choice in this scenario.