What is the correct technique for towing a passive drowning person?

The technique of laying the passive drowning person's head back in an open airway position is crucial because it ensures that their airway remains unobstructed. This position allows for optimal breathing and can help prevent any further complications during the rescue. Maintaining an open airway is especially important when dealing with someone who is unresponsive or unable to help themselves. By ensuring the person's head is tilted back slightly, you facilitate the natural alignment of the airway, which is vital for providing effective rescue breathing if needed.

While there may be other methods to manage the situation, they do not prioritize airway management to the same degree. For instance, attempting to hold a person's head above water may not ensure a clear airway, as it could lead to choking if water enters the mouth or throat. Swimming with them on your back may hinder the rescuer's ability to monitor the person’s breathing effectively, and strapping them to a rescue board is typically used for different types of rescues, such as spinal injury scenarios, rather than for towing incapacitated individuals back to safety.