Airway--instantly

CONIOTOMY is not a new technique, but it seems that many practicing physicians have difficulty locating the cricothyroid membrane. The cricothyroid membrane is the easiest site to gain airway entry in an emergency. Any attempt to insert an instrument through the trachea superior to the cricothyroid membrane does not circumvent the laryngeal obstruction; any attempt to insert a needle or a tracheotome into the trachea poses the threat of injury to the cricoid, plus the added hazard of bleeding of the thyroid isthmus, laceration of the deep vessels of the neck, and perforation of the esophagus. The cricothyroid membrane lies subcutaneously and is overlaid by no vital structures. The method of finding the cricothyroid membrane for the average untrained individual is by putting a finger on the "Adam's apple"; this is readily palpable in all individuals. The finger is then moved caudad until a slight indentation is found. The first