Basic Concepts
Airway Management
Why Airway Management Matters
Airway management is the foundation of emergency medical care. Without a clear airway, oxygen can't reach the lungs, and the patient can deteriorate quickly. EMTs and paramedics must know how to assess, open, and maintain a patient's airway using various techniques and equipment.
Techniques and Tools
- Head-Tilt/Chin-Lift and Jaw-Thrust: Simple manual maneuvers to open the airway, used depending on suspected spinal injury.
- Oropharyngeal (OPA) and Nasopharyngeal Airways (NPA): Devices that keep the airway open in unconscious or semi-conscious patients.
- Suctioning: Removing obstructions like blood or vomit to keep the airway clear.
- Bag-Valve-Mask (BVM): Provides positive pressure ventilation for patients who are not breathing adequately.
Real-World Applications
Mastery of these skills means you can save lives in emergencies, such as car accidents, overdoses, or cardiac arrests, ensuring patients get the oxygen they desperately need.
Examples
Using an OPA to keep an unconscious patient's airway open after a drug overdose.
Applying a jaw-thrust maneuver for a trauma victim with potential neck injury.
In a Nutshell
Airway management ensures oxygen reaches the lungs, using manual techniques and airway devices.