First Responder EMS Curriculum for Training Centers in Eurasia

4. Insert it posteriorly. Bevel should be toward the base of the nostril or toward theseptum.5. If the airway cannot be inserted into one nostril, try the other nostril.6. Do not force this airway.3. Techniques for Clearing the Compromised Airway and Maintaining an OpenAirwaya. The recovery position1. Raise the patient's left arm above his/her head and cross the patient's right leg overthe left.2. Support the face and grasp the patient's right shoulder.3. Roll the patient toward you onto his/ her left side.4. Place the patient's right hand under the side of his/her face.5. The patient's head, torso, and shoulders should move simultaneously withouttwisting.6. The head should be in as close to a midline position as possible.b. Finger sweeps1. If uninjured, roll the patient to his/her side2. Wipe out liquids or semi-liquids with the index and middle fingers covered with acloth.3. Remove solid objects with a hooked index finger.c. Suctioning1. Observe body substance isolation.2. A hard or rigid "tonsil sucker" or "tonsil tip" is preferred to suction the mouth of anunresponsive patient.3. The tip of the suction catheter should not be inserted deeper than the base of thetongue.4. Because air and oxygen are removed during suction, it is recommended that yousuction for no more than 15 seconds or as long as you can hold your own breath.• Decrease the time in infants and children.• Infants 5 seconds• Children 10 seconds5. Watch for decreased heart rate in infants.6. If you note a decrease in heart rate, stop suctioning and provide ventilation.4. Techniques for Ventilationa. Mouth-to-mask technique1. Place the mask around the patient's mouth and nose using the bridge of the nose as aguide for correct position. Mask position is critical since the wrong size mask willleak.2. Seal the mask by placing the heel and thumb of each hand along the border of themask and compressing firmly around the margin.3. Place your index fingers on the portion of the mask that covers the chin.4. Place your other fingers along the bony margin of the jaw and lift the jaw whileperforming a head tilt.268 First Responder EMS Curriculum/AIHA, July 2002