Skip to airway content Airway of the MonthRead the patient. Rescue the airway. Run the room.

Rescue pathway

What is failing?

Start from what you can see in real time.

SpO₂ fallingOxygenation problem.BP/MAP fallingShock problem.No/low EtCO₂Tube, circulation, or equipment.Vent alarm / high pressureResistance, compliance, circuit, or dyssynchrony.Abnormal vital signsBradycardia, tachycardia, fever, low EtCO₂.Physiology pivotARDS, asthma/COPD, DKA, shock/RV, neuro.

Rule of thumb

  • Treat oxygenation and perfusion while diagnosing.
  • If unstable, bag the patient and simplify the system.
  • Reassess tube, circuit, monitor, meds, ventilator, and patient physiology.

Clinical review / use limits

Authored by: Airway of the Month education team. Last reviewed: July 2026. Audience: EM learners, faculty, EMS, RT, simulation educators, and airway teams.

This is an educational cognitive-aid scaffold, not a bedside order set. Verify medications, ventilator changes, pediatric dosing, and procedures against local ED, ICU, anesthesia, pharmacy, RT, EMS, and pediatric policies.

Resources · Editorial policy · ACEP intubation policy · AARC 2024 ventilator assessment guideline · ATS 2024 ARDS guideline update

About this resource
Created by: Andrew Pirotte, MD; Kyle Brown, MD; Reba Hodge, MD; Amanda Vanderwerf, PharmD, BCEMP; Morgan Kimball, PharmD, BCEMP; Joshua Mohess Clinical review: Emergency medicine faculty review completed. Medication content reviewed by Amanda Vanderwerf, PharmD, BCEMP, and Morgan Kimball, PharmD, BCEMP. Last reviewed: 2026-07-23 Next scheduled review: 2027-01-23 Designed for: EM residents, emergency physicians, EMS clinicians, airway educators, and simulation faculty Important: Educational resource and cognitive-aid guide only; not a bedside order set or substitute for local protocol, medical direction, or clinical judgment. Website contact: [email protected]