ocr: To open the airway, extend the neck by pressing backwards on the torenead while lifting slightly from behind the neck. Be sure the hand under the neck - - is inserted from the side nearest to you. - - - loy - - L - - - - - - - - - By tilting the head back, the tongue is lifted away from the back of the throat, and the airway is opened. The most common airway opstruction is the tongue. In an unconscious person - - the tongue can kill. Always remember 1 - - - - - to open the airway by tilting the head back.