EMS Care EMT Chapter 24-MCIT-F3-2111 | Airway Management  starts with an introduction to this important topic. As an EMT your ability to assess, open and maintain a patient’s airway can be the difference between life and death. This course deals with essential airway management techniques, from basic interventions to advanced procedures. It also covers special patient populations, and their airway management. The lessons covered are

• Lesson 1: Introduction to Airway Management
• Lesson 2: Basic Airway Management Techniques
• Lesson 3: Advanced Airway Management Techniques
• Lesson 4: Special Considerations in Airway Management
• Lesson 5: Airway Management Complications and Troubleshooting

Excerpt from EMS Care EMT Chapter 24-MCIT-F3-2111 | Airway Management

Common mistakes with BVM ventilation include poor mask seal, leading to air leaks; overventilation, which can increase intrathoracic pressure and decrease cardiac output. An adult BVM holds about 1600cc of air, the average adult male needs about 600cc per ventilation, It is very easy to give too much. Other common mistakes include not allowing for full exhalation; and improper head positioning, which can obstruct the airway. Always ensure proper head tilt, watch for chest rise and fall, and maintain a steady, appropriate rate.  Also know, because of the way the valves on a BVM are set up, controlling the refill of the bag over 2 to 3 seconds will allow it to take in mostly oxygen and less room air.