If patients are able to maintain their airway temporarily but have clear indications for an artificial airway (penetrating trauma to the trachea), slow induction with ketamine or inhaled sevoflurane through Cricoid pressure will enable placement of an endotracheal tube without compromising patient safety.
Equipment to facilitate difficult intubation should be readily available wherever emergency airway management is performed
The gum elastic bougie, or intubating stylet
The stylet is placed through the vocal cords under the guidance of direct laryngoscopy, with the endotracheal tube then advanced over it into the trachea.
