Airway Management in TFC

What to remember

• Signs of a blocked airway: the casualty is in distress, snores or gurgles, has blood or objects in the airway, or has severe facial injury.CLS M07 Slides, PDF p.6
• Remove anything you can see in the mouth, but never do a blind finger sweep.CLS M07 Slides, PDF p.6
• In an unconscious casualty the tongue can fall back and block the windpipe. Open the airway with head-tilt chin-lift, or with jaw-thrust if a neck or spine injury is possible.CLS M07 Slides, PDF p.7
• A casualty who can breathe on their own should stay in the position that lets them breathe best, including sitting up. Do not force them into another position.CLS M07 Slides, PDF p.10
• An unconscious casualty who is not in shock goes into the recovery position once the airway is open.CLS M07 Slides, PDF p.11
• An NPA goes in a nostril and works for awake or unconscious casualties. Skip it if clear fluid leaks from the nose or ears, a possible sign of skull fracture.CLS M07 Slides, PDF p.12
• For a bag valve mask, seal the mask over the mouth and squeeze firmly for 1-2 seconds, once every 5-6 seconds. If positioning and an NPA do not keep the airway open, tell medical personnel at once.CLS M07 Slides, PDF p.15-17

Where people go wrong

• Sweeping the mouth with a finger when you cannot see anything in it.CLS M07 Slides, PDF p.6
• Forcing a casualty who is breathing on their own into a position or procedure that makes breathing harder.CLS M07 Slides, PDF p.10
• Putting in an NPA when clear fluid is coming from the nose or ears.CLS M07 Slides, PDF p.12
• Using head-tilt chin-lift when a neck or spine injury is possible, or lifting the chin with your thumb.CLS M07 Skill Instructions, PDF p.2

Check yourself

Questions on this module, each with the reason and the slide it came from.