Cricothyrotomy

[StrainXv]

I've dont this in the field on a Iraqi soldier who was burned almost over 40% of his body, his airway had been occluded due to inhalation of super heated gas when his humvee exploded. It ended up saving the guys life.

[SpaceSnaxxx]

Thank you for posting.

[esteebo]

We also learn how to do this with a K-bar or a razor and a pair of keys.

-HM3

[RonyMexico]

i have had some asshole tell me he did on a guy with a pencil, how 'bout that, i didn't believe that story, either

[TheCharliebro]

im currently learning to do this procedure in combat medic school for the army and although personally i would prefer to do a combitube or a king lt, my instructors have told me that they have all had to do it in combat settings, so it has its place somewhere. and to all you untrained people out there, generally a headtilt chinlift or a jaw thrust will work, dont go tearin into someones throat for no reason

[agentsqueral]

ive done many of these during the initial push into iraq. The only time we usually do this procedure is when the PT has burns or trauma to the face and or mouth to where a combitube and king LT will not work. :) Just a heads up TheCharliebro. GL in the course :) been nearly 10 years since i went through 91b

[Matt218]

@agentsqueral Good post. I did a few of these during my time in Afghanistan. Stay safe bro.

[keilopalatoskizis]

thank you

[loo85]

There is still nothing beats the most basic airway adjuncts to secure the patient's airway...

[emsblitz]

In Emergency, pre-hospital medicine, airway is #1. The ER can start a broad-spectrum anti-biotic AFTER we get them breathing again. Don't get me wrong, we try and keep a clean field, but airway is number one. This video can help trained pre-hospital personnel aswell. I personally know of only 2 Paramedics that have actually done this proceedure. Lots that say 'I've done that' but, saying and doing are two different things. I have never done this proceedure. Thanks for posting it on here. NREMT-P

[medic70648]

I know of none personally, but that's one of those things that, when you need to know it, it's a good skill to have stashed away. :)

Be safe.

[jcj1230]

Crics are always the last resort but even though they are a last resort you still need to remember asepsis. i never initiate any kind of acess without asepsis. even if your paitient has been without an airway for a long time you still need to be sterile. because if you get an airway established and are not sterile your paitient could get infected, this is basic pre-med stuff.

[eBiology]

@jcj1230 I agree with you though I think if a patient has been without an airway for a long period, establishing an airway is more important than the risk of infection.

[RonyMexico]

@eBiology if a person has been without an airway for a long period, good chance they are dead, no disrespect meant here, but a lot of people think they can be johnny and roy in real life and say stuff that is so out of bounds and completely retarded

[eBiology]

@RonyMexico By not having an airway for a long period, I meant upwards of 2 minutes. You are misunderstanding the meaning of 'long period'. I can say this as someone entering an MD program in less than a year, and planning on specializing in orthopedic surgery.

[RonyMexico]

@eBiology as i said before, no disrespect meant towards you, good luck becoming an orthopedic surgeon, maybe you could fix my knees when you graduate, peace

[eBiology]

@RonyMexico No disrespect taken, it's good to NOT get in an argument with someone on YouTube for once =)

[warriorpear]

I prefer the more traditional swiss army knife and bic pen.

[RowSheMotoVids]

nah its all about the dull, rusted, butter knife =)

[CoolDre80]

Notes:

the "required" tools are interchangable. We use straight hemostats, and 6.0 or 6.6 ETTs.

Why is this on youtube anyway? I hope no one watches this and thinks they are qualified to do them now!

[alexyth]

Cricothyrotomy is considered the last resource when Endotraqueal intubation fails, This kind of audiovisual material is watched mostly for health care people, i wont say people are qualifiled for seeing this, not even health care workers, except for those who work on ICU, emergencies. but if you dont try it even for the first time when you didnt succes in ET intubation the patient will die.

[pjasnos]

I don't think any reasonable person will think that they are qualified to do anything after watching a video on youtube - but a lot of people have seem cricothyrotomy in movie, and, having no other choice (e.g. seeing your loved one suffocating after swallowing some venomous bug when weather conditions just won't allow a helicopter to start?), will go ahead and try regardless of whether they are qualified or not. Probably it's better if they at least know a little bit of theory, don't you think?

[mokshamonkey]

@pjasnos possibly and probably. however i've asked some people in the nonmedical field if they think they would be able to overcome their fears and actually do something like this. most said no. its different when you are exposed to it everyday and your nerves can handle it.

[prmgulse]

good

[drah126]

very good