--- title: The First Responder's Guide to Emergency Medical Suction description: To protect your patients, here’s what you must know about emergency medical suction. image: https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/The%20First%20Responders%20Guide%20to%20Emergency%20Medical%20Suction.jpg --- [![dark-header.jpg](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hub/212347/file-1107077240.jpg?width=940&name=file-1107077240.jpg "dark-header.jpg")](https://www.sscor.com/) ## **Thank you for visiting the SSCOR Blog.** Whether you're in a Hospital or EMS setting, this is the place for you. We'll share information on current industry news, tips, as well as the latest and greatest in SSCOR products. Our hope is that this blog is not only informative but a collaborative and open forum for you to share your thoughts on developing opportunities and challenges within your profession. Subscribe. Share your thoughts. Enjoy. -SSCOR Team   # [The First Responder's Guide to Emergency Medical Suction](https://blog.sscor.com/the-first-responders-guide-to-emergency-medical-suction) Posted by [Sam D. Say](https://blog.sscor.com/author/sam-d-say) Sep 26, 2024 8:00:00 AM 4 min read - [![LinkedIn Social Icon](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/142915/file-2628248555-png/images/icons/linkedin-small.png) ](https://blog.sscor.com/the-first-responders-guide-to-emergency-medical-suction#) 0 - [![Facebook Social Icon](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/142915/file-2623658044-png/images/icons/fb-small.png) ](https://blog.sscor.com/the-first-responders-guide-to-emergency-medical-suction#) 0 Protecting the airway is key to protecting the patient, regardless of the reason for an EMS call. Almost all of the [most common EMS emergencies](https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(14)63475-9/pdf) involve risk to the airway. Consider the following common emergencies and how the airway may be involved:   - Altered consciousness can be due to a wide range of issues, but choking and hypoxia are often culprits. - Respiratory distress can be due to a closed or obstructed airway. Even when the airway is clear, respiratory distress increases the risk of airway problems such as [aspiration](https://blog.sscor.com/pulmonary-aspiration-an-overview). - Allergic reactions almost always endanger the airway. - Seizures can lead to aspiration and airway injuries.   Emergency medical suction can save lives in a wide range of emergencies. Yet many EMS providers never master medical suction or only feel comfortable using a single device. Here’s what you must know about medical suction to protect your patients.   [![New: Free Emergency Aspirator Purchasing Guide for Hospitals](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/212347/8b3f08ff-a209-4f08-b702-68de84bac45b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/212347/8b3f08ff-a209-4f08-b702-68de84bac45b)   ## **The Different Types of Suction Units** First responders must be familiar with all major suction units, not just the one that happens to be carried in their ambulance. Suction units [fall into four different categories](https://blog.sscor.com/4-types-of-suctioning-machines-every-ems-professional-should-know-how-to-use):   - Manual suction units, which use a pump to generate suction. - Wall-mounted suction units provide non-portable suction in hospitals, ambulances, some clinics, and some dental offices. - [Portable emergency suction](https://www.sscor.com/ems_suction_products) devices are smaller and battery-powered. - Makeshift suction devices, such as basters. These are never an ideal choice but may be the only option if an emergency suction device is unavailable.   ## **When to Use Suction** First responders must know when to use emergency medical suction. The [indications for suctioning](https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/nasopharyngeal-suction-guidelines/) include:   - **To stimulate** a patient’s coughing reflex. - **When audible sounds** come from a patient’s airway and the patient cannot cough or follow directions to cough. - **To maintain** a patent airway when secretions are clogging or risk clogging the airway. - **When less invasive** airway-clearing strategies have failed. - **When a patient** is experiencing respiratory distress due to retained secretions. Signs of respiratory distress include tachycardia, decreased SPO2, increasing FiO2, or increased PEEP.   Suction is riskier in some situations and may be inappropriate when:   - There is a severe bronchospasm. - Cerebrospinal fluid is leaking. - The skull or face is fractured. - The nasal passage is occluded, or there is nasal bleeding. - A patient has recently undergone nasal or airway surgery. - There are loose dentures or teeth.   In these situations, first responders must weigh the benefits against the risks and may need to consult with a supervisor or doctor before suctioning the patient.   ## **Suction Procedure Safety Considerations** Before suctioning the patient, preoxygenate them with 100% oxygen for at least 30 seconds. Otherwise, you risk iatrogenic hypoxia. The patient must be well-positioned, with the back and neck supported, especially if the patient does not have control over their neck or is in an altered state of consciousness.   - **Select the right catheter** for the patient. A catheter that is too large can injure the airway, while a too-small catheter may not deliver adequate suction. - **Open the mouth** using a crossed-fingers technique, and look for the throat. Before inserting the catheter, you must be able to see the airway. While suctioning, use a sweeping motion to retract the suction catheter. - **Limit suctioning** to no longer than 15 seconds. If the airway is not clear after the first suctioning attempt, reoxygenate the patient and try again.   To prevent the transmission of communicable diseases, never reuse disposable suction catheters.   [![NEW: Free Guide and Checklist for Paramedics: Determing the Contents of Your First-In Bag](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/212347/05cfbf34-0ff9-44ef-bafe-aa8c9d72d546.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/212347/05cfbf34-0ff9-44ef-bafe-aa8c9d72d546)   ## **The Importance of the Right Equipment** It’s been found that in potential airway emergencies, EMTs and paramedics often failed to bring portable suction to the patient’s side [until after the need](https://www.jems.com/operations/overview-of-prehospital-airway-suctioning/) for suction was clear. This costs precious minutes, potentially endangering patients.   Your portable suction unit needs to be with you at all times. The right suction unit can be easily transported to the patient. We can help you choose the right machine for your agency. To learn more, download our free guide, [The Ultimate Guide to Purchasing a Portable Emergency Suction Unit](https://info.sscor.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-purchasing-a-portable-emergency-suction-device).   *Editor's note: This blog was originally from September 2024. It has been re-published with additional up to date content.* [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/212347/9612b368-68bd-40fd-8df2-b49e908313ab.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/212347/9612b368-68bd-40fd-8df2-b49e908313ab) Topics: [Emergency medical suction](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/emergency-medical-suction) ![Author Photo](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SDS2-648378-edited.jpg?width=70&name=SDS2-648378-edited.jpg) ## AboutSam D. Say Sam D. Say is owner and CEO of SSCOR, Inc., a medical device manufacturer specializing in emergency battery operated portable suction devices for the hospital and pre-hospital settings. Mr. Say has been involved in developing product for healthcare providers for over 35 years. His passions include contributing to the management of the patient airway and providing solutions that save lives in difficult conditions. 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