As an EMS responder, you know how important a well-stocked trauma bag can be to the smooth running of emergency scenes. When you’re involved in the rapid, complex stabilization of a trauma patient, there’s nothing better than knowing that every piece of equipment you need is right within arm’s reach. A variety of dressings, assessment tools, and personal protection gear are all critical inclusions in your trauma bag. But none is so imperative as airway equipment, for without a patent airway, nothing you do for your patient will really matter.
So, let’s discuss four airway devices that should be included when stocking your trauma bag.
As you begin your patient assessment, one of the first things to determine is airway patency. You can’t proceed to the “B” of your ABCs without first stabilizing the “A.” And when it comes to opening the airway, basic adjuncts are simple and expedient. These include:
When it comes to ventilating your patient, there are a few options:
Your equipment assemblage for endotracheal intubation is traditionally carried in the airway bag. You can choose to keep a small kit in your trauma bag, or you can simply carry a supraglottic device that allows for rapid insertion of an airway. These include:
Although there are a variety of airway devices you can stow in your trauma bag, they will be useless for the patient who is bleeding into his or her airway or drowning in secretions. The ONLY way to clear such airways is through the use of a portable suction unit! So here are a few considerations for choosing a suction device that will be a great addition to your bag:
Your trauma bag must be geared to meet the demands of any type of call, so be sure it is well-planned, well-stocked, and equipped to handle any airway emergency.
Editor's Note: This blog was originally published in November, 2016. It has been re-published with additional up to date content.