First Responder EMS Curriculum for Training Centers in Eurasia

Skill Descriptions: AirwayNote: All skills assume proper precautions are already taken, includinggloves and face mask if appropriate.1. Techniques for Opening the Airwaya. Head-tilt chin-lift1. Place your hand that is closer to the patient's head on his/her forehead; apply firmbackward pressure to tilt the head back.2. Place the fingers of your hand that is closer to the patient's feet on the bony part ofhis/her chin.3. Lift the chin forward and support the jaw, helping to tilt the head back.4. Finger must not press deeply into the soft tissues of the chin as this may lead toairway obstruction.5. The thumb should not be used for lifting the chin.6. The mouth must not be closed.b. Jaw thrust1. Grasp the angles of the patient's lower jaw.2. Lift with both hands displacing the mandible forward.3. If the lips close, open the lower lip with your gloved thumb.2. Airway Adjunctsa. Insertion of oropharyngeal airway1. Select the proper size. Measure from the corner of the patient's lips to the tip of theearlobe or angle of jaw.2. Open the patient's mouth.3. Insert the airway upside down, with the tip facing toward the roof of the patient'smouth.4. Advance the airway gently until resistance is encountered.5. Turn the airway 180 degrees so that it comes to rest with the flange on the patient'steeth.b. Alternate technique for use with infants and children1. Select the proper size. Measure from the corner of the patient's lips to the bottom ofthe earlobe or angle of jaw.2. Open the patient's mouth.3. Use a tongue blade to press tongue down and away.4. Insert airway in upright (anatomic) position.c. Insertion of nasopharyngeal (nasal) airway1. Select the proper size. Measure from the tip of the nose to the tip of the patient's ear.2. Also consider diameter of airway in the nostril. Nasopharyngeal airway should notbe so large that it causes blanching of the nostril.3. Lubricate the airway with a water soluble lubricant.First Responder EMS Curriculum/AIHA, July 2002 267