Airway Protocol

1. Assess airway patency AND presence/effectiveness of spontaneous breathing.

2. Possible interventions

a. Airway maneuvers

i. Head-tilt chin lift

ii. Jaw thrust

iii. Oral suctioning

b. Airway adjuncts

i. Oropharyngeal airway (OPA)

ii. Nasopharyngeal airway (NPA)

c. Endotracheal intubation (ETI) (See separate protocol)

d. I-Gel airway (only for failed ETI) (See separate protocol)

e. Needle cricothyrotomy (See separate protocol)

3. Use of any one modality will be at the judgment of the senior paramedic, however, the following precautions should be kept in mind:

a. Possibility of cervical spine injury

i. Always maintain in-line stabilization when manipulating airway

b. Level of consciousness

c. Risk of aspiration

d. Airway obstruction

i. Follow AHA Airway Obstruction guidelines

4. After airway patency obtained, provide continuous assessment of airway control. If not effective, the paramedic should advance to next modality of choice.

5. Every patient requiring airway control should have the following:

a. Continuous oxygen saturation monitoring

b. Cardiac monitoring

c. Supplemental oxygen

d. Suctioning as needed