Your patient was hit by a car and thrown several yards. He presents with snoring respirations and a rapid and weak radial pulse. You suspect a spinal injury, based on the mechanism of injury. You should FIRST:

A. open the airway with a jaw-thrust maneuver.
B. obtain a set of vital signs.
C. open the airway with a head tilt-chin lift.
D. immobilize the patient to a backboard.

Answer: A