The initial steps of performing a cricothyroidotomy are common to all of the CoTCCC-recommended techniques. They include: 

From there, each technique uses a different approach to establishing the airway. Identifying the landmarks properly and exposing the membrane is where most errors occur, and it is important to take advantage of as many training opportunities as you can to improve that skill, including practicing landmark identification on one another. The following are reasons why common errors occur: