Which position should you ensure the airway is in for rescue breaths?

The correct position for the airway during rescue breaths is to have it slightly tilted back. This position is known as the "sniffing position," where the head is extended slightly. Tilting the head back allows for the airway to open up by lifting the tongue off the back of the throat, decreasing the likelihood of airway obstruction.

In this position, when rescue breaths are delivered, they can flow more easily into the lungs. The slight tilt also helps align the oral and pharyngeal passages, making it easier for the caregiver to provide effective ventilation. This simple adjustment can be critical in emergency situations to ensure adequate oxygen delivery to the patient.

Other positions, such as completely flat, do not support the airway effectively and can lead to blockage. The side-lying position, although useful for certain scenarios (like in recovery), does not provide optimal access for delivering breaths. Pulling the chin forward is part of the technique for head-tilt-chin-lift, which is effective but would not be described as simply tilting the airway back. Therefore, the slight tilt back is appropriate for achieving the desired airway management in rescue breathing.