Final answer:
The recommended method to open the airway for all unresponsive victims is the Head-Tilt/Chin-Lift maneuver. It involves tilting the head back and lifting the chin to clear the airway, and should be used with caution if a spinal injury is suspected. For conscious choking victims, encourage coughing or perform back slaps and the Heimlich maneuver.
Step-by-step explanation:
For all unresponsive victims, the recommended method to open the airway is the Head-Tilt/Chin-Lift maneuver. This technique is especially crucial during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) procedures. It involves tilting the victim's head back and lifting the chin to create a clear path for air to enter into the lungs. When performing the maneuver, one hand should be on the forehead to tilt the head back gently, while the tips of the fingers from the other hand should be placed under the point of the victim's chin to lift it.
In an emergency situation where a person is choking and unresponsive, such as due to smoke inhalation during a fire or when someone has aspirated an object, the Head-Tilt/Chin-Lift maneuver ensures that the airway is as open as possible to either attempt rescue breaths or allow natural breathing if the obstruction is cleared or shifts. If the person is suspected of having a spinal injury, a modified version of the maneuver that avoids neck extension should be used, such as the Jaw-Thrust maneuver without head extension.
It is essential to note that if an individual is choking, conscious, and can cough, encourage them to continue coughing to dislodge the object. If the conscious choking individual cannot cough, speak or breathe, immediate interventions such as back slaps and the Heimlich maneuver should be administered.