Question: How should the airway be evaluated?

Answer: The key question: Is the airway obstructed?

Look for the following signs:

• Talking, crying = airway open
• Position of the child: does the child want to sit forward in a 'tripod' position to maintain the airway (Fig 1)?
• Look, listen and feel: are there signs of airway obstruction:
  • Tracheal tug
  • Paradoxical chest movement
  • Airway noises: stertor (pharyngeal noise), stridor (laryngeal, tracheal) = partial airway obstruction
  • Decreased air entry
• Assess effectiveness of breathing:
  • Assess level of consciousness
  • Exhaustion
• Measure oxygen saturation

If the child is unconscious: Look, listen, feel. Open the airway with simple manoeuvres - head tilt/chin lift or jaw thrust