ICU · Airway management

Basic Airway Manoeuvres, Adjuncts & Bag-Valve-Mask

Also known as Basic airway skills · Bag-valve-mask · BVM · Guedel airway · Oropharyngeal airway · Nasopharyngeal airway · Jaw thrust · Head tilt chin lift · EC clamp · Apnoeic oxygenation

The 'A' of ABCDE. Basic airway skills are the non-invasive manoeuvres and adjuncts that establish and maintain a patent airway and oxygenate the patient before a definitive airway. Jaw thrust and head-tilt/chin-lift relieve obstruction by the tongue; the oropharyngeal (Guedel) and nasopharyngeal airways stent the pharynx; and the bag-valve-mask with a two-handed C-E grip, reservoir and PEEP valve ventilates the unprotected airway. Most 'can't intubate' situations are rescued by excellent basic airway skills and bag-valve-mask ventilation. Apnoeic oxygenation (THRIVE) extends safe apnoea time.