What is the preferred method for maintaining airway patency in a conscious casualty?

The head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver is the preferred method for maintaining airway patency in a conscious casualty because it effectively opens the airway by positioning the tongue and epiglottis away from the back of the throat. This technique is particularly useful when the casualty is alert and responsive, allowing the airway to remain clear without the need for advanced airway management tools.

In a conscious individual, this maneuver is safe and can be performed quickly, enabling the casualty to breathe freely. It also allows for continued interaction and assessment of the casualty's responsiveness, which is crucial in a tactical or emergency setting. While other methods, such as the jaw-thrust maneuver or the insertion of a nasopharyngeal airway, have their applications, they are more suited to situations where the casualty may be unconscious, at risk of airway obstruction, or require advanced interventions. Administering oxygen via mask is also important, but it relies on maintaining a patent airway, which is optimally achieved through the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver.