I am getting mixed messages now. On the one hand anton is saying that it is rare for Fire to be on
scene first, and on the other that he expects them to be deploying invasive airway techniques in
(presumably) sitting (presumably) trapped patients, which are extremely unwise in that situation.
Even with years of anaesthetic training I think very hard before putting anything in an upper airway
on a patient whose airway is difficult to access, and I still tend to have a very light touch and use
ketamine for preference rather than trying to intubate - although of course there are situations
where you have to secure an airway - severe facial bleeding for example and you have to do a
proper RSI. We have rehearsed the argument about LMAs in trauma here before, and I still stand
by my original comments that they are completely inappropriate as they simply pipe vomit straight
into the trachea.
The situation is entirely different from a cardiac arrest in a ward environment (I'm thinking of Peter
Baskett and Brian Stone's paper) and I am now very uneasy.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Rowley Cottingham" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: "Martyn Hodson" <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Sunday, April 11, 2004 10:11 AM
> Subject: Re: Airway technique??
>
> depends on how you define 'basic life support skills'
>
> under previous definitions everyone up to ALS providers, who used any
> equipment during resuscitation was undertaking 'BLS with Adjuncts' ,
> however
> the rise of 'ILS' as a concept has muddied the waters.
>
> i think Anton is speaking of providers with educational profiles
> equivalent
> to ambulance technician, rather than lay people
>
> Martyn
>
>
> ---
>
Best wishes,
Rowley Cottingham
[log in to unmask]
Visit the new and improved http://www.emergencyunit.com
|