Principles of Airway

Management

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Indications for airway protection
 Decreased level of consciousness
 GCS <9
 Cerebral injury
 Surgery
 Medical problems

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 Potential causes of airway
obstruction
 Tongue
 Dentures
 Food stuffs
 Vomit
 Blood
 Secretions

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 Techniques to clear material from
airway
 Suction
 Postural airway manoeuvres
 Basic life support chocking protocol
 Up to 5 back slaps
 Up to 5 abdominal thrusts
 Only if unconscious up to 5 chest thrusts
 If unsuccessful to clear airway then Basic Life
Support

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 Opening the Airway
 Check the airway
 Open the airway, place one hand on the
victims forehead and gently tilt head back
 Remove any visible obstruction from the
victims mouth, including dislodged
dentures. Leave well fitting dentures in
place

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Opening the airway

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Jaw thrust technique may be
needed if C-spine injury

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Simple airway adjuncts

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Nasopharyngeal airway insertion

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Oropharyngeal airway insertion

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Questions

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