Airway management is a critical component of every first responder’s job. The right equipment is key, from clearing the airway of secretions to managing complex aspiration cases and assessing causes of respiratory distress.

Airway obstructions are common. The prevalence and type of airway obstruction varies with age. Children younger than four are more vulnerable to choking-related upper airway obstructions, while adults commonly experience airway obstruction caused by complications from smoking. First responders will inevitably encounter a wide variety of airway obstructions and must be prepared to promptly respond to each with appropriate medical care. Here are the most common causes of upper airway obstruction.

The majority of portable suction devices are powered by sealed lead-acid batteries. While this type of battery uses stable and reliable chemistry, it can lose capacity over time and require replacement. When buying a replacement battery for your portable suction device, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

Chest trauma can mean lethal consequences for your patients. Chest injuries account for 20% to 25% of deaths from trauma and contribute to 25% to 50% of the remaining deaths. Early recognition and treatment is one of the primary factors in reducing mortality.

Flight medics face some of the highest job stress levels of any first responders, 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 COVID-19 pandemic made acute respiratory distress one of the most common emergencies faced by first responders. Without prompt intervention, the virus led to respiratory failure and life-threatening complications.

Maintaining an open airway to promote oxygenation and ventilation is the cornerstone of airway management. Different tools can be used in the process, ranging from basic to advanced, depending on the patient’s status and provider’s level of training.

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.

Distracted driving is responsible for about 3,000 deaths each year. Knowing how to treat patients in such crises — and paying special attention to potential airway problems — is essential for providing proper care.

Whether you have a disability, or someone you know has one, disability impacts everyone, at all ages and stages of life. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to one in four (27%) adults in the U.S. have some type of disability, and 12.1% of U.S. adults have a mobility disability with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.