How should you assess a child's airway?

Assessing a child's airway is crucial in emergency situations to ensure that it is open and unobstructed. The correct approach involves tilting the head back slightly without extending it too far. This method allows for proper alignment of the airway, which is essential in children because their anatomy differs from that of adults. Specifically, their trachea is shorter and more flexible, and hyperextension can lead to airway obstruction rather than improvement.

Tilting the head back slightly helps to maintain the natural curvature of the neck and does not compromise the airway, which is particularly important in young children who may have softer, more pliable neck structures. This technique is often referred to as the 'sniffing position,' which optimally opens the airway while minimizing the risk of causing further obstruction.

Other approaches, although they might seem viable, can lead to complications. For instance, the chin lift maneuver is important but should be used in conjunction with head positioning rather than as a standalone method. Pushing down on the forehead can inadvertently obstruct the airway rather than open it, especially in a child's more delicate anatomy. Placing the child in a sitting position is not practical in most emergency situations because it may not provide the best access to the airway or control over the child's posture in