Fires kill more than 3,000 Americans each year. Most die not from burns but from oxygen deprivation due to smoke inhalation. Immediate survivors of the blaze are not out of the woods. The consequences of smoke inhalation can show up hours or even days later. Apparently healthy people can die even when they seem able to breathe. When treating smoke inhalation, here’s what not to do—and what you must do instead. 

Portable aspirators are an important tool in every first responder’s kit. They’re the first line of defense against aspiration and respiratory obstructions. Yet no medical procedure is without risk, especially with inadequate training or a rushed approach to care. First responders must continually drill the use of portable aspirators so that they're prepared to intervene in an emergency; otherwise, patients can suffer from preventable iatrogenic injuries, some of which can even prove life-threatening. Individualized treatment, thoughtful and comprehensive assessment, and skillful use of portable aspirators can greatly reduce the risk of injury.

In 2018 alone, there have been more than 100 mass shootings. Tactical medical response requires a different skill set and approach than that required when an elder falls or a child has a choking episode. Tactical medical injuries are high-stakes, and first responders must provide prompt care in a high-stress environment where split-second decisions can be a matter of life and death.