Airway maintenance with C- spine protection

In a suspected injured player if there is any possibility of a cervical spine injury the neck must be controlled by manual in-line immobilisation as part of the initial approach. The airway assessment begins by assessing if the player can respond with a clear verbal response to voice commands. This indicates they have a clear airway, are breathing and have a sufficient blood pressure to adequately perfuse their brain. Listening to the quality of their voice may give information about the airway status and a clue to any impending problems.

If there are any concerns about the player’s airway, this must be assessed and managed according to the principles outlined in the airway chapter of this text.

It is essential to identify airway compromise early and manage this appropriately to minimise hypoxia and hypercarbia. It is also important that the airway is regularly re-evaluated as some airway problems are progressive in nature and may not be obvious during the first primary survey.