Anyone who works in the medical field knows how crucial his or her equipment is to the success of patient care. Your job would be impossible without the tools you depend on each day. From IV equipment to monitoring devices, modern medicine is dependent upon an array of gear, and one of the most fundamental pieces of equipment is the medical suction machine.

In an airway emergency, every second counts. Imagine if you were the one suffering from airway compromise. You’d want your responders to not only react immediately to your situation, but to employ precision when clearing your airway.

Have you ever stopped to think about the fact that one of your most important pieces of EMS equipment is also one of your simplest? Such is the case with medical suction machines. The ability to generate effective negative pressure that is then channeled via a portable suction unit means that even the most clogged airway can be cleared. And there’s nothing that can replace this most valuable of machines.

As a paramedic, you know the most critical task you are called on to perform is managing the airway. Whether your patient is an asthmatic, struggling for breath; a pediatric suffering a partial blockage due to an inhaled object; or an unconscious trauma victim with a blood-clogged airway, the decisions you make and the actions you take will determine whether your patient lives or dies.

With today’s innovative technology, EMS equipment has come a long way. Computers make monitoring, diagnosing, and even documenting a breeze, while cutting-edge materials make equipment lighter, stronger, and safer. Even our portable suction units are modern marvels. They are no longer the clunky, inefficient machines of years past. Now they are smaller; more powerful; and designed for safe, effective use.

As an emergency medical professional, you rely on a number of sophisticated tools to treat your patients. From cardiac monitors that defibrillate and cardiovert to drugs that reverse anaphylaxis and pulmonary edema, you are responsible, not only for the benefits, but also the dangers, associated with such therapies. And even the simplest treatment can pose serious harm when not applied properly. A great example is your portable suction machine. Here, we’ll discuss three dangerous mistakes to avoid when applying portable suction in the field.

Anyone who has ever used a portable suction unit knows the importance of power and reliability. Suction units, like any other piece of lifesaving equipment, must be durable, effective, and able to tackle the most difficult of airways.

As a paramedic, the most critical treatment you provide is airway management. Whether intubating the patient in cardiac arrest, dislodging an obstruction, or simply assisting respirations, the speed and effectiveness of your treatment can mean the difference between life and death for your patients. So, let’s review three critical airway management steps you can’t afford to miss: assessment, equipment, and intervention.

Take a deep breath. Now let it out slowly. Do you ever stop to think about the amazing physiological processes that take place within our bodies, each time we take a breath? Breathing is one of many bodily functions we take for granted—that is, until we are unable to breath. Something to think about the next time you treat an asthmatic or choking victim.