For children, how should the airway be opened during resuscitation?

During resuscitation for children, the airway should be opened to a slightly past-neutral position. This technique involves extending the head slightly beyond the neutral position, which helps to optimize the alignment of the trachea and facilitates better airflow.

In pediatric resuscitation, achieving a clear airway is crucial, as children's airways can be more easily obstructed than those of adults. Positioning the head slightly past neutral helps to avoid potential obstruction caused by the tongue, which is proportionally larger relative to the size of the child’s airway.

In contrast, using just a chin-lift may not provide sufficient airway opening in children, as it can sometimes lead to inadequate alignment of the airway structures. Opting for a neutral position may also not achieve the best results, as it might not fully open the airway. The sniffing position is typically used for adults, and while it may work for older children, the slightly past-neutral position is more suitable for younger children to ensure optimal airway management during resuscitation.