Soiled Airway Tracheal Intubation and the Effectiveness of Decontamination by Paramedics

Soiled Airway Tracheal Intubation and the Effectiveness of Decontamination by Paramedics (SATIATED): A Randomised Controlled Manikin Study

In more than one-in-five cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, airways are blocked by vomit and blood. Sometimes, paramedics cannot clear the airway using methods they have been taught. If the airway cannot be cleared, the patient will die.

Usually, these patients will have a breathing tube placed into their windpipe (intubation), as this provides protection from vomit and blood. To do this, the paramedic needs to be able to see the entrance to the windpipe.

A new method of clearing the airway called SALAD has been used in patients to help insert a breathing tube, but it is not known whether the method can help paramedics. This study will use a manikin to see if paramedics can insert a breathing tube more often on their first attempt, using SALAD.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 18 and over
• HCPC registered paramedic employed by Yorkshire Ambulance Service
• Authorised to intubate within Yorkshire Ambulance Service
• No SALAD training in the last 3 months

Exclusion Criteria:

• Not an HCPC registered paramedic employed by Yorkshire Ambulance Service
• Not authorised to intubate within Yorkshire Ambulance Service
• Allergy to artificial 'vomit' ingredients
• Unwilling to provide consent
• SALAD training in the last 3 months