Anyone can be in a situation where an emergency happens, including at your place of work. If you are working and your coworker has a medical emergency, would you know what steps to take to help them? With basic first aid skills, you could make a difference in their life, and it may even help you to handle your emergencies should they happen.

Basic Life Support education is nothing to take for granted. If you are not yet certified, now is the ideal time to get these basic first aid skills. You can take an online course for basic first aid training right now and feel better about your ability to help when there is a medical emergency.

The following are 10 basic first aid skills most people should have. These are skills that you can apply to various situations that occur in the office (or any place of work).

#1: First Aid Basics

Before any life-saving care can be provided, you must be able to properly assess the situation to know what type of basic first aid to apply to a person in need. To do this, you’ll need to focus on the ABCs of first aid:

• Airway: If someone is unconscious or unresponsive to you, your first step is to open their airway to give them the ability to breathe.
• Breathing: If they are not breathing after you have adjusted their head to open the airway, the next step is to give them rescue breathing.
• Circulation: Once you begin rescue breathing, you must perform chest compressions if the person does not have a pulse. This helps circulate blood to the rest of the body if the heart stops.

In most emergency situations, start with these three areas. Note that you will also need to contact 911 immediately or have someone else do so. Provide breathing and circulation support until emergency medical care is available.

You can learn the basic first aid skills for these steps here and on our blog. However, taking a course to learn the critical skills of CPR, AED, and First Aid is very important. You can complete this course quickly and have the skills necessary to protect someone’s life.

#2: Basic First Aid for a Stopped Heart

When a person’s heart stops beating, oxygen cannot get to the brain and other organs. While you wait for medical help to arrive, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is the most important step for you to take. The following are the basic steps of CPR:

• Call 911 or have a person nearby do so.
• Do chest compressions. To do this, use both of your hands, in a ball, to push down hard and fast on a person’s chest. You will place your hands on the center of the chest. Press down with both hands and allow the chest to rise before repeating.
• Continue to do this at a rate of 100 to 120 times per minute.

If you are trained in rescue breathing or CPR, you can provide rescue breathing as well. Because this is challenging to do on your own, have someone nearby help if possible. During rescue breathing, you’ll feel for a pulse and breathing. If there is not one, provide two quick breaths through the person’s nose and mouth. Then, start CPR. Complete 30 compressions and then breathe again.

If you have training and an AED is available, you can use it to help restart the function of the heart. Most AEDs have some basic information on how to use them, but you need training or the ability to follow those directions.

#3: Basic First Aid Skills for Bleeding

Accidents in the office may lead to substantial bleeding, and immediate action is critical to minimize the risks to the individual. In these situations, start with the same process of assessing their condition. Then, consider what is bleeding.

• Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels, and as such, the blood flow is limited, and the bleeding will stop on its own within a few minutes.
• Veins are larger and typically have a dark red color of blood. The bleeding may be significant or moderate, and benefits from some level of treatment from a rescuer.
• The third type is arteries, which are the largest vessels and supply oxygen to the rest of the body. Bright red blood spurting out typically means a critical situation with significant blood loss.

In situations of severe bleeding, contact 911 as a first step. Then, follow these steps for basic life support care:

• Wear gloves when possible. If possible, pour water over the wound or allow it to sit under running water for several seconds to cleanse it.
• Cover the opening with clean gauze or a cloth. You can use clothing if nothing else is available. Wrap it tightly.
• While you wrap it, apply pressure to the area where the blood is coming from. Continue to apply pressure after it is wrapped, which will help a clot to form.
• When possible, position the wound above the level of the heart. This makes it harder for the blood to flow out.
• Keep applying additional layers of cloth to the wound – never remove what is already there. Keep pressure on it until help arrives.

If the wound is significant, a person may pass out. Be sure to consider the ABCs of providing basic first aid to the individual throughout this process. Follow the BLS algorithm to ensure you’re taking active steps in protecting the life of your team.

#4: Basic First Aid for Broken Bones

A person falls and lands on their arm. That could mean there’s a risk of a broken bone. Note that fractures may protrude from the skin, or they may not. Signs of a break include:

• Loss of movement and control over the limb
• Significant pain
• Swelling
• The bone is oddly shaped, or the overall alignment of the bone is no longer normal

If you suspect a person has a broken bone, it is necessary to get them to the emergency room for the proper alignment and placement to encourage healing. However, there are several things you can do in the meantime to minimize further risks:

• Keep the limb immobile. Do not try to move it.
• When possible, use a sling to hold the injured area against the body to prevent worsening.
• If the skin is broken and the bone is protruding, cover it with a clean cloth before transporting it.

#5: First Aid For Burns

Another of the most important basic first aid skills every office employee should have is effective treatment for burns. A burn can worsen without quick action, and the pain can be substantial. Whether a burn occurs from a fire or from a piece of equipment that fails to operate properly, consider the following first aid basics.

First, know the risks of burns. They can happen in various ways, such as due to chemicals used for cleaning or electrical burns from an outlet. Whatever is occurring, stop that first, such as turning off electricity or rinsing away the chemical from the skin.

Then, follow these tips for the treatment of serious burns:

• Clean the area by using running water over the surface. Keep the temperature cool. Avoid the use of ice, but allow cool water to run over the surface for several minutes.
• Apply a gauze bandage loosely over the top of the burn. Do not apply too much pressure as it can worsen the pain.
• Do not apply medications or ointments while providing first aid.
• Avoid breaking any blisters or peeling off the skin.

911 is a critical service to call for third-degree burns. Even if the burns are second-degree, with blistering, you’ll still need to get them to an urgent care center for treatment. The risk of infection is very high.

Follow CRP algorithms to ensure you take steps to immediately help a person who is not breathing. Do not wait to get help in these situations.

#6: Basic First Aid for Sprains

Sprains occur when damage to the tendons, ligaments, or muscles occurs. The goal of first aid here is to support the sprain to allow for healing. If a person cannot walk, it may be necessary to call 911. In other situations, consider the following steps:

• Rest: Get them off their feet and sit down for a bit to allow for the inflammation to reduce.
• Ice: Apply ice to the area where the pain radiates. This also helps control pain and reduce inflammation.
• Compression: Apply compression to the area with a bandage to keep the swelling down.
• Elevate: Bring the body part up over the elevation of the heart.

If the pain does not improve, you can continue to ice the area every hour for about 15 minutes at a time.

#7: Basic First Aid Skills for Nosebleeds

A nosebleed can be more challenging than other bleeding because the area impacted is difficult to reach. If a person has a nosebleed that is not from trauma (such as falling and striking their face), follow these steps:

• Lean the head forward slightly, bringing the chin closer to the chest.
• Apply a clean cloth to the nose and pinch the bridge. Do not pinch the nostrils but the area above this.
• Hold this for several minutes. Then, check to see if the bleeding has stopped. If not, repeat this and continue for another 10 minutes before checking again.

In the case of trauma to the head, it’s necessary to assess what occurred and if the person is breathing. Perform CPR as appropriate. Most of the time, trauma to the nose will cause substantial loss of blood. Follow the steps above to stop the bleeding, but plan to head to the emergency room.

#8: Basic First Aid Skills for Choking

A person who is choking cannot breathe and needs immediate medical care. They may be gasping for air, wheezing, or looking panicked. It is very common for a person to be unable to speak and may become blue within a few minutes.

In this situation, apply the Heimlich maneuver following these steps:

• Stand behind the person and encourage them to lean forward slightly.
• Place your arms around their waist so that your hands meet in front of them.
• Create a ball with your hands and your thumbs inward against the wall of the chest. Position your hands between the belly button and the rib case.
• Grab your fist with your other hand and then apply a significant thrust in an upward movement. Pull backward and upward with your first. Do this five times.
• Repeat until the object is coughed up.

When you consider Basic Life Support testing, you’ll learn more about what to do if a person passes out from choking.

#9: Basic First Aid for Frostbite

If your team is working outdoors and someone has pain radiating from exposed skin, they could have frostbite. After getting into the enclosed area, run the area under warm water—avoid hot water. Do this for 20 to 30 minutes, allowing a warm stream of water to run over the area.

Avoid irritation or rubbing of the skin, as this can cause pain and damage. Do not place the area by a heater or any source of significant heat, as this can lead to serious burns. Fireplaces and heating pads are not advisable. If there is pain after 20 minutes, wrap the area with bandages loosely and give it time to heal without additional cold exposure.

#10: Basic First Aid Skills for Allergic Reactions

One of the more complex aspects of first aid training is knowing how to help someone who has an allergic reaction. Food, chemicals, bees, or other types of allergies are not uncommon. Most of the time, a person with a severe allergy will have an auto-injector available to provide epinephrine to reverse the symptoms.

Suppose they do not have this or know of an allergy, your reaction time matters. If a person is struggling to breathe or has a swelling face, it is critical to call 911 and then help them to rest. Keep the airway open.

If the allergen is caused by exposure, such as touching or breathing it in, move out of the space where there is fresh air and wait for help to arrive. Because allergic reactions can be life-threatening, make sure you practice your CPR skills.

Basic First Aid Skills in the Office Save Lives

Having these skills, along with a full first aid kit, can help you be prepared for anything that happens in the office.

Don’t stop there. Get the education you need to make a difference. The BLS Online Certification is a fast and easy course you can take to learn critical, life-saving skills.

You can also build your skills and knowledge by exploring our Journal Articles. Education is one of the most important (and powerful) tools you have when it comes to basic first-aid training. Reach out to Advanced Medical Certification for the help you need to protect the lives of others.

In emergency medical situations it is critical to effectively manage a patient’s airway and ensure it remains unobstructed. Patients need to be treated quickly to reduce the risk of suffocation, brain damage, and other serious complications.

One of the fundamental techniques used by first responders and other healthcare providers in these instances is the head tilt chin lift maneuver. This simple but vital procedure can save lives by opening a patient’s airway.

Here is what you need to know about this procedure’s importance, step-by-step implementation, indications and contraindications, associated risks, and role in emergency care scenarios.

A Tilted Head Opens the Airway

An airway obstruction can happen when a person’s tongue or other soft tissues block airflow into the lungs. In an unconscious person, the muscles relax more fully than they would in someone awake or even deeply asleep. This heightened level of relaxation and diminished muscle tone causes the tongue to fall back and obstruct the airway.

Naturally, this is an issue that needs immediate correction to prevent a host of different problems that can have significant, long-term consequences. The head tilt chin lift position counteracts airway obstruction and makes it easier for medical professionals to get air into a person’s lungs. Seconds count, so the goal is to use the fastest and most accurate procedure based on the unconscious person’s needs.

The Importance of the Head Tilt Chin Lift Maneuver

While there are other ways to handle airway management in an unresponsive patient, the head tilt chin lift position is considered the gold standard. It helps clear the airway by:

• Moving the tongue away from the back of the throat
• Allowing for effective ventilation during rescue breathing
• Aligning the oral and pharyngeal axes

When giving breaths to an adult use the head-tilt/chin-lift technique to open the airway unless there is a specific reason you cannot (such as a spinal injury). Unlike options that use more complex airway devices, there is no specialized equipment required for this technique. It can be learned and used by medical professionals and laypersons without additional medical training.

When to Use the Head Tilt Chin Lift Position

There are several scenarios where this procedure is the best choice. These include:

• Unconscious patients without suspected spinal injuries
• Basic Life Support (BLS) and Cardiopulmonary resuscitation Life Support (CPR)
• Cardiac arrest situations where an airway needs established
• Patients experiencing airway obstruction due to tongue relaxation

These are the main situations where a properly tilted head can create an airway. However, there are also times when this procedure either will not be effective or could cause harm. It is essential to know when not to use the head tilt chin lift maneuver.

When to Avoid the Head Tilt Chin Lift

While the head tilt chin lift is a highly effective way of opening an airway in an unconscious patient, there is another method of opening the airway with a suspected neck injury. If you have any suspicion that the patient may have a spinal injury, choose the jaw thrust maneuver vs head tilt-chin lift.

This reduces the risk of exacerbating potential cervical spine injuries and creates an adequate airway for treatment. Any time there is the potential for a neck injury it is important to err on the side of caution. For patients without spinal injuries, though, the head tilt chin lift is the preferred airway management method.

Step-by-Step Procedure for the Head Tilt Chin Lift

Now that you know when to use this maneuver (and when not to), what steps should you follow to open the airway? How do you know if you are performing the maneuver correctly? While this is not a complicated procedure to perform, doing it correctly is important due to the vital nature of creating and maintaining an airway in an unconscious patient.

Here are clear, step-by-step instructions for everything you need to do.

Step 1: Get in the Right Position

To get into the proper position for this maneuver, you will want to either kneel beside the patient or position yourself near their head. You need to be able to easily reach their head and chin to have access to the area you need to adjust for airway management.

Step 2: Pay Close Attention to Hand Placement

Use one hand to put pressure on the patient’s forehead. With the other hand, place your fingers under the bony part of the chin. Once your hands are properly placed you can perform the maneuver safely and effectively.

Step 3: Tilt the Head While Lifting the Chin

Gently push down on the forehead while lifting the chin upward at the same time. This will move the tongue away from the back of the throat, so the airway stays open.

When giving breaths to an adult use the head-tilt/chin-lift technique neutral, or the head-tilt/chin-lift technique past neutral. In other words, you can tilt the head into a neutral position, but may also need to go past neutral to fully open the airway. For infants and very young children, you should stay in the neutral position, as going past neutral can restrict their airways.

Step 4: Check for Proper Alignment

The patient’s mouth should be slightly open. Their head should be in a neutral or slightly past neutral position to give them maximum airflow. You can adjust the head position between neutral and past neutral as needed, to ensure the patient is breathing as easily as possible.

Step 5: Check for Proper Breathing

There are several ways to check for breathing in an unconscious patient including observing chest movements, listening for breath sounds, and leaning in close to the patient to feel for breath on your cheek.

Step 6: Provide Rescue Breathing if Needed

If a patient is not breathing on their own you should begin rescue breathing or proceed with CPR as the situation requires. The specifics of the patient and their needs will affect the additional measures taken.

Practical Tips for Effective Care

Airway management is essential when an unconscious person has an airway obstruction and cannot breathe clearly on their own. However, the head tilt chin lift is not without risk. To minimize the chances of causing injury during this procedure, there are some practical tips to follow. These include:

• Using minimal force to avoid causing jaw or neck injuries.
• Avoiding excessive backward tilting of the head, which can actually compromise the airway instead of opening it.
• Monitoring the patient continuously to ensure the airway remains clear.

During stressful situations, adequate training can help reduce injury risk and make the right treatment options more instinctual. The goal is to act quickly and with skill in order to maximize a patient’s chances of survival and lower the chances of significant or long-term injury.

The Role in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Using the head tilt chin lift position is critical during CPR. First, it helps to establish a patient airway during the initial assessment of an unresponsive patient. Second, it is part of the “airway” component of the “ABC” sequence (Airway, Breathing, Circulation). Lastly, when combined with rescue breaths it ensures that the patient will receive oxygen until advanced airway management is available.

Risks and Complications

The head tilt chin lift is generally considered safe for most people. However, there are some risks to consider. Understanding how the procedure could cause harm is the first step in reducing the chances of injuring a patient while establishing an airway. The primary risks of this maneuver are:

• Neck injury through improper technique or too much force.
• Jaw or facial pain through excessive force and soft tissue injury.
• Inadequate airway clearance due to failure to maintain the correct position.

Fortunately, these risks and avoidable with practice and the proper technique. Knowing how much force to apply and when to consider the jaw thrust maneuver vs head tilt-chin lift are critical components of successfully treating an unconscious patient with an airway obstruction.

Comparing the Jaw Thrust Maneuver vs Head Tilt-Chin Lift

Understanding the main differences between the head tilt chin lift and jaw thrust maneuver is vital to knowing when to use each one. The goal is to be as effective as possible while reducing the risk of harm, and knowing is a powerful way to do that.

Use the head tilt chin lift for non-traumatic airway management. It is simple and widely used but is potentially unsafe for spinal injury patients. If your patient has a suspected spinal injury, choose the jaw thrust maneuver. While this method of maintaining an airway requires more skill, it is the procedure of choice for suspected cervical spine injuries.

Practice and Train to Increase Safety and Effectiveness

Mastering life-saving procedures like maintaining an airway in an unconscious patient requires regular training and practice. The right course and certification programs go a long way toward learning everything you need to know. That can help you stay up-to-date on all the best ways to help and protect patients and give you confidence in your abilities when you need to use these techniques.

Online courses are an option to begin training or to renew or add to your certifications as a medical professional. These courses can also help laypersons learn first aid, CPR, and other essential skills for emergencies. For most online courses you can expect to:

• Review the online materials for your certification.
• Watch the skills videos to understand the procedures and techniques discussed.
• Take (and pass) an exam to provide proof of your certification.

While there are still some types of classes and certifications that need to be done in person, online training can significantly enhance the knowledge and skills needed in medical settings. You can also practice with others in a hands-on environment to ensure you are comfortable with specifics such as hand placement and the right amount of tilt to maximize the airway opening.

The Head Tilt Chin Lift Maneuver Is a Life-Saving Technique

This procedure is a cornerstone of basic airway management because it is simple, effective, and accessible to nearly everyone. That makes it a critical part of emergency care and a way to save lives. Whether it is performed by a healthcare professional or a layperson who responds to an unconscious person, knowing how to do this maneuver safely can make the difference between life and death for a person needing help to breathe.

This crucial skill is one that every medical professional should have, and staying aware of any updates to the technique or its use cases helps reduce risk and improves the chances for patients who need this type of care. With regular training, an understanding of when to use this method and when to avoid it, and a focus on the proper technique it is possible to maximize the life-saving potential of this position.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the head tilt-chin lift procedure be used on infants?

Yes, this procedure can be used on infants, toddlers, and young children. However, taking additional care and a gentler approach is very important when helping babies and children. They are more flexible and delicate than an adult, and that makes it possible for them to be injured during the maneuver. The best way to reduce the risk of injury is to make sure to tilt their head back only slightly since an excessive tilt can obstruct their airway instead of opening it.

What should I do if I suspect a spinal injury?

If you suspect that a patient has a spinal injury it is best to choose the jaw thrust maneuver vs head tilt-chin lift technique to maintain the airway while minimizing spinal movement. While it is vital to open an airway for any patient with an obstruction in that area, you also want to lower the risk of causing or contributing to the risk of paralysis or other serious spine health problems.

How do I know if the airway is open after performing the head tilt chin lift?

After performing this maneuver you will want to observe the patient’s chest for movement, listen for their breath sounds, or feel for air movement on your cheek by leaning in close to them. If the patient is not breathing, rescue breaths should be given. You may also need to start CPR, depending on the patient’s condition and the presence of vital signs.

Take the first step in saving lives. Enroll in our BLS or CPR certification courses to gain the skills you need for emergencies. Start your journey with Advanced Medical Certification today!