Emergency medical responders are responsible for saving lives every day. Their knowledge and skills enable them to quickly assess and treat patients who may be unconscious, unable to communicate, or located in remote terrain.

The emergence of the COVID-19 virus saw an unprecedented surge in airway emergencies, with millions of people across the globe infected. Whether your agency previously suctioned people daily or suction was new to your repertoire, odds are you’ve done, and continue to do so more than ever before.

As you approach your patient, you hear him snoring and notice the familiar sound of gurgling coming from his mouth. You immediately know you will be working to manage his airway—all within seconds of looking at, listening to, speaking with, and touching the patient. Remember: The first few seconds when you approach your patient will likely give you the most clinical information about your patient’s condition, bombarding you with information rapidly, sometimes instantaneously.

Although the placement of chest tubes usually falls to physicians, many healthcare workers have had to care for patients with chest tubes in place, either in a hospital setting or during transport. Chest tubes are a critical factor in certain respiratory emergencies, so let’s review the indications for placement and some of the dangerous complications you can avoid when caring for such patients.

Your BLS engine company is dispatched to a “difficulty breathing” call and your ALS rescue is still in the process of delivering their previous patient to the hospital. Dispatch is sending the next closest rescue, but the responding unit has just notified you that they are held up by a train.

Airway suctioning is a routine part of a first responder’s job. From preventing aspiration pneumonia to clearing the airway of a drowning victim, the right suction machine is an integral part of your EMS toolkit. Yet many paramedics, EMTs, and other first responders avoid suctioning the airway unless they absolutely have to. 

No matter what profession you are in, it’s always important to value learning new concepts and skills and staying up to date on changing industry standards and best practices. EMS providers have an imperative to find as many opportunities as possible to continue learning new things about their patients, as well as ways to provide the most safe and effective care possible to patients, in any scenario.

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.

When faced with the challenge of transporting someone in respiratory distress, emergency responders should be able to identify the symptoms and remain prepared to spring into action with the right procedures and equipment.

Portable suction is only utilized in the field on some calls and not on an everyday basis. However, when it is needed, it can make the difference between a patient that leaves the hospital and one who dies of aspiration pneumonia after successful resuscitation.

You have decided it is important to carry a portable suction unit, so naturally, you want to select an effective product. Ask yourself the following questions during your selection process.