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Combat Life Saver Combat Life Saver

Lesson 21Lesson 21INSERT AN OROPHARYNGEALINSERT AN OROPHARYNGEAL AIRWAY IN AN UNCONSCIOUS AIRWAY IN AN UNCONSCIOUS

CASUALTYCASUALTY

Compiled and edited by,SSG JAMES CHATFIELD, SR. MEDIC

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Lesson 21Lesson 21

INSERT AN OROPHARYNGEALINSERT AN OROPHARYNGEAL

AIRWAY IN AN UNCONSCIOUS CASUALTYAIRWAY IN AN UNCONSCIOUS CASUALTY

INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION

You have already been tested on your ability to openYou have already been tested on your ability to opena casualty's airway and administer moutha casualty's airway and administer mouth- -toto--mouthmouthresuscitation. Part of the task requires you to keepresuscitation. Part of the task requires you to keepthe casualty's airway open while you treat other the casualty's airway open while you treat other injuries. This may be a problem in an unconsciousinjuries. This may be a problem in an unconsciouscasualty. You can use one of the oropharyngealcasualty. You can use one of the oropharyngealairways in your aid bag to help keep the unconsciousairways in your aid bag to help keep the unconsciouscasualty's airway open while you check for injuries.casualty's airway open while you check for injuries.

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INSERT AN OROPHARYNGEALINSERT AN OROPHARYNGEAL

AIRWAY IN AN UNCONSCIOUS CASUALTYAIRWAY IN AN UNCONSCIOUS CASUALTY

TASKTASK

Identify procedures for inserting an oropharyngealIdentify procedures for inserting an oropharyngeal

airway in an unconscious casualty.airway in an unconscious casualty.CONDITIONSCONDITIONS

Given written items pertaining to the oropharyngealGiven written items pertaining to the oropharyngealairway (Jairway (J- -tube) and its use.tube) and its use.

STANDARDSTANDARDScore 70 or more points on the 100Score 70 or more points on the 100- -point writtenpoint writtenexamination.examination.

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IDENTIFY WHEN THE OROPHARYNGEALIDENTIFY WHEN THE OROPHARYNGEAL

AIRWAY IS USEDAIRWAY IS USED

The oropharyngeal airway is only used with anThe oropharyngeal airway is only used with anunconscious casualty.unconscious casualty.

Do not insert the oropharyngeal airway if the casualtyDo not insert the oropharyngeal airway if the casualtyis conscious or semiconscious. The airway couldis conscious or semiconscious. The airway couldcause the casualty to gag and vomit.cause the casualty to gag and vomit.QuestionQuestion: :

Why would it be dangerous for the casualty to vomit?

ResponseResponse: :The casualty could inhale some of the vomit which couldthen obstruct his airway.

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DETERMINE WHICH OROPHARYNGEALDETERMINE WHICH OROPHARYNGEAL

AIRWAY IS THE APPROPRIATE SIZEAIRWAY IS THE APPROPRIATE SIZE

Place the oropharyngeal airway along the outside of Place the oropharyngeal airway along the outside of the casualty's jaw with one end of the airway at thethe casualty's jaw with one end of the airway at the

bottom tip of the casualty's ear.bottom tip of the casualty's ear.Close the casualty's mouth and bring the other tip of Close the casualty's mouth and bring the other tip of the airway toward the corner of the casualty's mouth.the airway toward the corner of the casualty's mouth.The airway should reach from the bottom tip of hisThe airway should reach from the bottom tip of hisear to the corner of his mouth.ear to the corner of his mouth.Repeat the steps using the other oropharyngealRepeat the steps using the other oropharyngealairway and choose the one that is nearest the correctairway and choose the one that is nearest the correctsize.size.

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DETERMINE WHICH OROPHARYNGEALDETERMINE WHICH OROPHARYNGEAL

AIRWAY IS THE APPROPRIATE SIZEAIRWAY IS THE APPROPRIATE SIZE

QuestionQuestion: :Why is it important that the airway be of the appropriatesize?

ResponseResponse: :If the airway is not the correct size, it could injure thecasualty's throat or even obstruct his airway.The right size keeps the casualty's tongue from falling down

the back of his throat.

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INSERT THE OROPHARYNGEAL AIRWAYINSERT THE OROPHARYNGEAL AIRWAY

Position the casualty on his back.Position the casualty on his back.Place your thumb and index finger of one hand onPlace your thumb and index finger of one hand onthe casualty's upper and lower teeth near a corner of the casualty's upper and lower teeth near a corner of

his mouth so the thumb and finger will cross whenhis mouth so the thumb and finger will cross whenthe casualty's mouth is opened.the casualty's mouth is opened.Push your thumb and index finger against thePush your thumb and index finger against thecasualty's upper and lower teeth in a scissorscasualty's upper and lower teeth in a scissors- -likelike

motion until his teeth separate and his mouth opens.motion until his teeth separate and his mouth opens.If the teeth do not separate, wedge your index finger If the teeth do not separate, wedge your index finger behind the casualty's back molars and force the teethbehind the casualty's back molars and force the teethapart.apart.

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INSERT THE OROPHARYNGEAL AIRWAYINSERT THE OROPHARYNGEAL AIRWAY

Place the tip end of the airway into the casualty'sPlace the tip end of the airway into the casualty'smouth. Make sure the tip is on top of the tongue.mouth. Make sure the tip is on top of the tongue.

Point the tip of the airway up toward the roof of thePoint the tip of the airway up toward the roof of thecasualty's mouth.casualty's mouth.Slide the airway along the roof of the casualty'sSlide the airway along the roof of the casualty'smouth, following the natural curvature of the tongue.mouth, following the natural curvature of the tongue.When the tip of the airway reaches the back of theWhen the tip of the airway reaches the back of thetongue past the soft palate, rotate the airway 180tongue past the soft palate, rotate the airway 180degrees so the tip of the airway points toward thedegrees so the tip of the airway points toward thecasualty's throat.casualty's throat.

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INSERT THE OROPHARYNGEAL AIRWAYINSERT THE OROPHARYNGEAL AIRWAY

Advance the airway until the flange rests against the Advance the airway until the flange rests against thecasualty's lips.casualty's lips.

The airway should now be positioned so the tongueThe airway should now be positioned so the tongueis held in place and will not slide to the back of theis held in place and will not slide to the back of thecasualty's throat.casualty's throat.

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MONITOR A CASUALTY WITH ANMONITOR A CASUALTY WITH AN

OROPHARYNGEAL AIRWAY IN PLACEOROPHARYNGEAL AIRWAY IN PLACE

Check the casualty's respirations to make sure he isCheck the casualty's respirations to make sure he isstill breathing adequately and the oropharyngealstill breathing adequately and the oropharyngeal

airway is not blocking his airway.airway is not blocking his airway. Adjust the position of the oropharyngeal airway, if Adjust the position of the oropharyngeal airway, if needed.needed.

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MONITOR A CASUALTY WITH ANMONITOR A CASUALTY WITH AN

OROPHARYNGEAL AIRWAY IN PLACEOROPHARYNGEAL AIRWAY IN PLACE

QuestionQuestion: :Should you tie or tape the airway in place?

ResponseResponse: :No.

QuestionQuestion: :What should you do if the casualty begins to regainconsciousness?

ResponseResponse: :Remove the airway.

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INSERT AN OROPHARYNGEALINSERT AN OROPHARYNGEAL

AIRWAY IN AN UNCONSCIOUS CASUALTYAIRWAY IN AN UNCONSCIOUS CASUALTY

CLOSING CLOSING

Remember, only use the oropharyngeal airway on anRemember, only use the oropharyngeal airway on anunconscious casualty, never on a conscious or unconscious casualty, never on a conscious or semiconscious casualty.semiconscious casualty.

This lesson is tested in the written multipleThis lesson is tested in the written multiple- -choicechoiceexamination.examination.

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QuestionsQuestions