Every year, more than 60,000 Americans die from complications of dysphagia and other swallowing disorders. The most common of these complications is aspiration pneumonia. Traumatic injuries that cause continuous bleeding into the airway can also lead to aspiration. Even with treatment, aspiration has a high mortality rate because it introduces contaminants into the airway. Mortality estimates vary depending on the population studied, but are at least 20-30 percent higher in the elderly and those with preexisting respiratory disorders.

Pediatric intubation is the nightmare scenario for every parent. Yet the procedure remains common, thanks in part to differences in children’s airway anatomy that make them more vulnerable to respiratory distress. Your agency must offer regular training on pediatric intubation because the pediatric airway is smaller, more difficult to access, and more vulnerable to injury. Knowledge is no substitute for lived experience, so take every opportunity to practice pediatric intubation. Here’s a quick overview of the process.

Sooner or later, every first responder encounters a difficult airway. Training for these scenarios is critical for improving patient care and reducing first responder frustration and burnout. There’s no substitute for lived experience, critical feedback from experienced providers, and drills that mimic real-world situations. However, keeping in mind these five tips can help you more effectively treat difficult airways.

Power outages are among the most common emergencies, affecting nearly 40 million people each year. For most people, a power outage is a minor inconvenience that means limited access to screens and perhaps a few hours spent playing board games. For some, power outages are more dangerous, and can mean no access to heat or air conditioning in dangerous temperatures. And for an unlucky few, a power outage can present a life-threatening emergency. Clearing the airway during a power outage is a critical and life-saving skill that all EMS professionals must master.

The opioid overdose epidemic is hitting cities and towns across the nation, with a death toll that is both shocking and rapidly growing. Sixty-eight percent of drug overdose deaths involve an opioid, and opioid overdoses claim an average of 130 American lives each day. Promptly responding to suspected or confirmed opioid overdoses can help slow the epidemic. Airway management is critical for acute care following an overdose. Here’s what you need to know.

As many as 5 percent of Americans have experienced anaphylaxis. Many more may be at risk. An epidemic of allergies means that more and more EMS agencies are routinely dealing with anaphylaxis. Appropriate management can be life-saving, and has already reduced anaphylaxis mortality to less than 1 percent. Brush up on your anaphylaxis management skills with these tips.

Emergency preparedness is a critical aspect of the job for every medical professional, especially first responders. You’ll be working with people at some of the most difficult times of their lives, often in the wake of immense tragedy or a sudden disaster. Emergency preparedness should guide your work. Making sure you’re prepared for emergencies is not something you do once; it’s an ongoing undertaking that you must continually revisit in training, in your work with other agencies, and on your own. Preparedness saves lives.

Media depictions of natural disaster preparedness tend to highlight immediate needs, such as clothing, food, shelter, and access to medical care. Long after the glaring lights of the news media have turned to another natural disaster, however, survivors of the previous disaster may continue to face health issues. First responders must prepare not only for the immediate effects of natural disasters, but also for the long-term health consequences. Here are the most common lingering effects of natural disasters.

Power outages can strike without warning. For some, they are a minor inconvenience that lasts only a few moments. But serious outages can last for many days, endangering the health of people who depend on ventilators and other electrical devices to remain healthy and alive.

As you first approach your patient, you hear him snoring and notice the familiar sound of gurgling coming from his mouth. You immediately know you will be working to manage his airway—all within seconds of looking at, listening to, speaking with, and touching the patient. In fact, the first few seconds when you approach your patient will likely give you the most clinical information about your patient’s condition. You are bombarded with your patient’s information rapidly, sometimes instantaneously.