Lesson 3 Opening and Managing a Casualty's Airway

7/29/2019 Lesson 3 Opening and Managing a Casualty's Airway

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Opening and Managing aCasualtys Airway


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Check for Responsiveness

If the casualty appears to be unconscious, check

the casualty for responsiveness.

Are you okay?

Gently shake or tap

If no response, position the casualty and open

the airway


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Position the Casualty


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Open the Casualtys Airway

The tongue is the most common cause of anairway obstruction

When a casualty is unconscious, muscles relax.This relaxation may cause the tongue to slip tothe back of the mouth and block the airway

Two methods of opening the airway are theHead-Tilt/Chin-Lift method and Jaw Thrustmethod


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(Jaw Thrust)

If neck or spinal injury is suspected, use

the Jaw Thrust method
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Use your fingers to remove anything that

could block the casualtys airway

Loose teeth

Facial bone

vomitus


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Check for Breathing

Look, Listen, Feel

Maintain Jaw Thrust

Count full respirations

(15 sec)


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(Head-Tilt/Chin-Lift)

No suspected neck or spinal injury


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(Head-Tilt/Chin-Lift)

Look, Listen, Feel

Maintain Head-Tilt/Chin-Lift

Perform rescue breathing

if necessary


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Rescue Breathing

Maintain head-tilt/chin-lift or jaw thrust

Pinch nostrils closed and administer two fullbreaths (2 seconds)

Check carotid pulse

If pulse is present, administer mouth-to-mouthventilations at 1 per 5 seconds

Check for breathing and pulse after one minute


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Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

If your check shows that the casualty does nothave a carotid pulse, you can beginadministering cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR) if you know how and the tactical situationpermits.

In a tactical situation, if a casualty is found with

no pulse and no respiration, CPR is notrecommended. Therefore, CPR is not taught inthe combat lifesaver course.


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Nasopharyngeal Airway

Respiration rate less than normal (less

than two in 15 seconds)

Snoring or gurgling sounds


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Do not use the nasopharyngeal airway if the roof

of the casualtys mouth is fractured or brain

matter is exposed.

Do not use the nasopharyngeal airway if there is

clear fluid coming from the ears or nose.

Leaking cerebrospinal fluid may indicate a skull

fracture.


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Place the casualty on his back (face up)

Remove airway and lubricant from aid bag

Lubricate the tube Expose the opening of the casualtys nostril

Insert the tip of the airway into right nostril

with bevel facing septum Advance until flange rests against the nostril


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If there is resistance or blockage, use the

other nostril.

If both attempts fail, position the casualty

in the recovery position and seek medical

help.


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QUESTIONS?


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Documents

Lesson 3 Opening and Managing a Casualty's Airway