Refer to in Appendix A for Trauma Airway Assessment guidance and Appendix B for Difficult Airway Management.

  1. Ketamine is the first line agent for Rapid Sequence Intubation (RSI).
  2. Apply principles of Apneic Oxygenation.
  3. Utilize device name rather than brand-name wherever possible.
  4. Eliminate blind nasal intubation. Anticipate fiber optic guidance if available.
  5. Use waveform or digital capnography as primary tool to verify tube placement if available.
  6. Remove recommendation for use of an intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway.
  7. Offer surgical cricothyroidotomy or tracheostomy as surgical airway options.
  8. Optimize RSI and Intubation Pathway for all patients. Separate Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) algorithm not required.
  9. Include specific pediatric recommendations.
  10. Trauma airway management should be rehearsed with your trauma team on a regular basis to include role assignments and familiarization with difficult airway management and surgical airway equipment.