What is the vital action taken to open the airway before administering rescue breaths?

The head tilt-chin lift maneuver is the correct action to take in order to open a victim's airway before administering rescue breaths. This technique involves tilting the person's head back slightly while lifting the chin upwards, which helps to reposition the airway by lifting the tongue away from the back of the throat. This is especially important because it allows for an unobstructed pathway for airflow into the lungs, facilitating effective rescue breaths.

This method is widely recommended due to its simplicity and effectiveness in most cases of unresponsive victims who do not exhibit signs of spinal injuries. The head tilt-chin lift is appropriate in situations where spinal injury is not suspected, ensuring the airway is open for ventilation.

In circumstances where a spinal injury is suspected, a jaw thrust maneuver would be more suitable to prevent further injury. Other actions, such as leaning the victim forward or clearing obstructions, may sometimes be relevant but do not specifically serve to properly open the airway in this context.