Which technique is essential for ensuring proper mask ventilation in an unresponsive patient?

Proper head positioning to maintain airway patency is essential for ensuring effective mask ventilation in an unresponsive patient. In this context, achieving an unobstructed airway is critical. When the patient is unresponsive, the tongue can fall back and obstruct the airway, which can prevent effective ventilation. By positioning the head appropriately—usually by extending the neck and lifting the chin or using the jaw-thrust maneuver—an EMT can help open the airway and ensure that air can flow into the lungs effectively when using a bag-mask device.

Other techniques, while important, may not directly address the fundamental issue of airway obstruction caused by the tongue or other factors. For example, while firm pressure on the mask can help create a better seal, that alone will not suffice if the airway is not patent. Similarly, using a bag with a larger volume or having multiple rescuers may assist in ventilation but are secondary to the necessity of maintaining an open airway. Therefore, ensuring proper head positioning is the foundational step for successful mask ventilation in this scenario.