Sourcing an AED was covered in Tip #17. The man in our scenario is unresponsive and does not appear to be breathing. Firstly turn him over onto his back. Then open his airway by placing two fingers on the boney point of his chin. Place the flat of your other hand on his forehead. Gently tilt the head backwards. “In an unconscious person, care of the airway takes precedence over any injury, including spinal injury.”
The reason we prioritise opening an airway is when a person is unconscious, all their muscles relax. If they are left lying on their back, their tongue, which is attached to the back of the jaw, will fall back against the throat and block air from entering the lungs.