Is it time for airway management education to be mandatory?

Abstract

The airway practitioner needs a repertoire of airway techniques in order to cope with the complexities of a difficult airway. Achieving an airway through front of neck access under emergency conditions may be the final pathway, but appropriate judgement and skill earlier in the patient's care could potentially avoid such a crisis. Education in airway management should reach far beyond the formative stages of training. It should be seen as an ethical obligation for all practitioners to keep up to date through lifelong learning; an obligation which should be facilitated by governing bodies mandating a comprehensive airway management training program.