Use the Back to Presentation link or your browser's BACK button to return to the presentation. In any emergency, controlling the airway is paramount. If the airway is lost, all other resuscitative measures are inconsequential.
Conscious patients are able to control their own airways.
Rarely will supplemental oxygen be detrimental. Often, gentle assistance of respiration with bag and mask and positive pressure are all that is necessary to maintain the airway and adequate ventilation. Other times, endotracheal intubation is necessary. Care must be taken to avoid injury to an unstable cervical spine when intubating a trauma patient. Cricothyroid membrane is usually above the thyroid isthmus with minimal soft tissue between skin and airway.