Airway management failures in the prehospital setting are often driven not by anatomy, but by physiology. Patients with severe hypoxia, shock, metabolic acidosis, or neurologic compromise may deteriorate rapidly during intubation if these factors are not anticipated and managed appropriately. This case-based session focuses on delayed sequence intubation (DSI) and rapid sequence intubation (RSI) in physiologically unstable patients. Through real-world EMS scenarios, participants will explore patient selection, pre-intubation optimization, medication choice, and sequencing strategies designed to minimize peri-intubation hypoxia, hypotension, and cardiac arrest. Emphasis is placed on applying physiologic principles to guide airway decisions rather than relying solely on algorithms or checklists.

NYS CME: Core - Airway