Airway compromise must be addressed at the beginning of the tactical trauma assessment, and the only thing that should delay you is the treatment of massive hemorrhage. If a casualty is conscious and can speak normally, the airway is not obstructed; otherwise, you will need to assess their status.

Airway obstruction on the battlefield is most often due to maxillofacial trauma, which may result in disrupted airway anatomy and the intrusion of blood, teeth, or other tissues into the airway.

Unconscious casualties can also lose their airway when the muscles of their tongue relax, causing the tongue to block the airway by sliding to the back of the pharynx and covering the tracheal opening.

Airway obstruction on the battlefield is often easily corrected with simple maneuvers.