Airway

Airway adjuncts

CCMS-MED-SOP-001 §5.5

Position, then adjunct, then BVM. CLINICIAN ONLY: LMA in a crashing patient, needle decompression, surgical airway.

1. 1

   Position: sniffing in a child without trauma; jaw-thrust if spine is in play.

2. 2

   NPA: semiconscious, sized nostril to earlobe. Do not use with facial trauma or suspected basal skull fracture.

3. 3

   OPA: unconscious only, no gag. Sized corner of mouth to angle of jaw.

4. 4

   BVM: two-person when you can. Slow breaths. Watch the chest, not the bag.

• LMA, needle decompression, and surgical airway are restricted to MD/DO/PA/NP/paramedic under the medical director.
• When in doubt: scene safety, 911, ABCs, bleed control, stay, document, hand off.

This field guide does not replace 911, a medical director, or licensed clinical judgment. It does not authorize anyone to practice beyond license and current training.