Cross Finger Technique 1 Using your dominant hand

Cross Finger Technique 1. Using your dominant hand, cross your index finger under your thumb 2. Place your thumb and index finger against the patient’s upper and lower teeth 3. Spread your thumb and finger apart to open the patient’s mouth 1

Clearing the airway • Gravity • Finger Sweep • Suction 2

Finger Sweep 1. Open the patient’s mouth using the crossed finger technique 2. Insert your gloved index finger into the patient’s mouth so that the tip of your finger is behind and/or beneath the foreign object 3. Curve your finger into a hook and remove the object 4. Repeat until airway is completely cleared 3

Suction • Do not insert suction further than you can see • Suction in a side to side or circular motion • Do not suction for more than 10 -15 seconds at a time (5 -10 for a child) 4

Keeping Airway Open and Clear • Recovery position • Airway adjuncts (good table on page 300 of textbook) • Nasopharyngeal Airway (NPA) • Oropharyngeal Airway (OPA) 5

Nasopharyngeal Airway (NPA) • Flexible tube that is inserted into the nasopharynx • Can be used in responsive patients and patients with in-tact gag reflexes • Used for patients with oral injuries and airway compromise or are having a seizure • Do not use for patients with massive head injuries due to possible aggravation of the injury and/or damage to the nose 6

Inserting an NPA S: Size the NPA L: Lubricate the NPA I: Insert the NPA C: Check the adjunct 7