Pitfalls

Airway management is fraught with difficulties. These include:

• Failing to be prepared well in advance of a potential difficult airway situation
• Not recognising that an airway may be difficult or may become difficult soon (e.g. upper airway burns)
• Being falsely reassured by a lack of indicators of difficulty
• Not calling for help early
• Pursuing attempts to place an endotracheal tube rather than maintaining oxygenation
• Not recognising when a can’t intubate/can’t ventilate scenario has arisen and there is an immediate need for a surgical airway