Seizures are a common emergency. First responders frequently encounter children having febrile seizures, epileptic seizures, and seizures due to brain anomalies such as dementia or brain lesions. In most cases, the seizure itself is not dangerous, but the medical condition that caused it may be. 

Flight medics face some of the highest job stress levels of any first responders. They are often responding to patients for whom seconds matter. In this rapidly changing environment, diligent airway management is critical, particularly for trauma survivors, neonates, and people with serious respiratory health conditions. 

The airway can decompensate quickly, so even if a patient is not experiencing respiratory distress at the first encounter, you must monitor their airway for the duration of the flight. Here’s what you need to know.

COVID-19 has fundamentally changed everything about how people live. As we face one of the world’s highest infection rates, many Americans remain quarantined in their homes. Choices that once seemed innocuous, such as going to the dentist or the grocery store, can now expose people to a lethal virus. 

Tachycardia can be a sign of respiratory distress. It can also be a complication of interventions to treat respiratory distress, including suctioning. First responders and medical providers must have a clear understanding of the link between tachycardia and suctioning so that they can reduce the risk of patient injuries and improve both long- and short-term outcomes.

Hypercapnia, also known as hypercarbia or carbon dioxide toxicity, causes dangerous levels of CO2 in the blood. In most cases, it signals a respiratory problem such as poor lung function, but it can also happen among deep divers, particularly when they do not breathe adequately, or have contaminated oxygen supplies. 

Knowing the signs and symptoms of carbon dioxide toxicity can save lives and equip medical personnel and first responders to act quickly.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of disease-related death in the United States. Though people of widely varying health profiles can develop this disorder, it is more common among people who smoke. First responders in the Deep South and in other regions where smoking is common may regularly encounter patients with COPD. Suctioning these patients demands skill and compassion. Here’s what you need to know about suctioning a patient with COPD.

Suctioning can prove life-saving in neonates, particularly those born prematurely and those struggling with the transition from fetus to neonate. Like any medical intervention, it also presents some risks, especially if performed absent medical indication or in a hasty and thoughtless fashion. Identifying the most common neonatal suction catheter complications can help you reduce the risk your patients face, improving care outcomes and potentially even saving lives.

Advanced airway management demands precision and skill, especially in vulnerable patients. When performed correctly, however, initiating nasopharyngeal airways is very safe—and much safer than the alternative of doing nothing. Many first responders are reluctant to initiate a nasopharyngeal airway, citing fears of complications. But this route can enable intubation in patients with an intact gag reflex. Proper training can promote greater confidence, so don’t let fear deter you from practicing this life-saving technique.

Every patient is unique. Expert airway management demands a critical, creative, adaptive approach. Nevertheless, first responders should follow established protocols and guidelines if they want to get the best results. A simple algorithm can help guide decision-making in airway management, while still allowing room for flexible problem-solving. Follow these guidelines to speed treatment and reduce errors in the event of a difficult airway:

Airway suctioning can save lives, support recovery from chronic illnesses, and improve outcomes in ICU patients. Proper airway suctioning is key to preventing infections in patients who cannot clear their own airway, as well as in those who are experiencing certain medical emergencies. But reckless approaches to suctioning and inadequate infection prevention protocols can introduce new dangers, putting vulnerable patients in greater peril. Here’s what you need to know about preventing lung infections via airway suction.