Importance of Airway Management in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Cardiac arrest can be caused by various factors, including drug overdoses, sudden injuries, respiratory problems, and various other health issues. Although cardiac arrest is a common cause of mortality, many of these deaths can be avoided. Over 350,000 heart attacks occur outside of hospitals every year. When bystanders provide CPR on a cardiac arrest sufferer, about half of them survive. Airway management is important for successful CPR, and first responders must be equipped with the necessary tools.

Clearing the Airway

Before performing CPR, make sure the airway is clear. Cardiac arrest can occur for a variety of reasons, including blockages in the airway. Furthermore, drug overdoses and a few other medical problems can result in vomiting, which can lead to aspiration, aggravating cardiac arrest. The correct suction tool can clear the airway quickly.

Oxygenating the Patient

Bystanders who are performing CPR are advised to do mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Although this method may be effective, the gold standard in cardiac resuscitation is to oxygenate the patient. The following are the three reasons for this: 

●   Direct resuscitation involves getting in contact with any sort of infections that the patient may have and exposing an already vulnerable patient to infections from the rescuer.

●   The use of a machine for oxygenation allows for more control over the procedure, ensuring that the patient does not receive too little or too much oxygen.

●   Better monitoring and control are possible with a team-based approach. One team member can conduct chest compressions while the other oxygenate the patient.

Continued Airway Management

A first cardiac crisis may signal the second one. Even after a patient has been successfully resuscitated, it's critical to keep an eye on their airway. When a patient is revived, most organizations choose to use mask ventilation and continue oxygenating them during transport. You should also keep an eye out for other indicators of airway obstruction. A patient who has been resuscitated may vomit or bleed, increasing the danger of aspiration. To conduct a thorough respiratory examination and have your equipment ready to go.

Importance of Proper Equipment

Most cardiac arrests happen outside of hospitals. The highest-quality wall-mounted suction will not help these patients. Even in hospitals, cardiac arrests can happen in waiting rooms or other areas where the wall-mounted suction is unavailable.

Therefore, having portable emergency suction devices is critical for all agencies, including hospitals. While meeting your treatment requirements, portable equipment allows you to quickly tend to the patient without having to move them.