What is the most common method of opening a victim's airway when there is no spinal injury?

The most common method of opening a victim's airway when there is no spinal injury is the head tilt, chin lift maneuver. This technique is effective because it helps to properly align the airway by tilting the head back and lifting the chin forward. This positioning helps to lift the tongue away from the back of the throat, reducing the risk of airway obstruction caused by the tongue itself.

Using this method is particularly suited for situations where a spinal injury is not suspected, as it does not involve any excessive movements of the neck that could exacerbate a spinal condition. Instead, by allowing gravity to assist in keeping the airway open, rescuer efficiency is improved and potential hazards are minimized.

While options such as mouth-to-mouth may be used for rescue breathing, they do not specifically address the need to open the airway itself. The jaw thrust maneuver is a useful technique, especially when spinal injuries might be present, since it minimizes neck movement. The finger sweep is meant for clearing visible obstructions in the airway but is not a method for establishing an open airway. Thus, the head tilt, chin lift is the most appropriate and widely accepted approach in this context.