It was interesting that while the signs and symptoms of a heart attack were unknown to them, maintaining the airway of a patient with gunshot wounds was second nature.

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These include a small ultrasound probe that can be used to scan for internal injuries such as fluid in the abdomen or internal bleeding, and a video laryngoscope, which can be used to view and open a patient's airway by inserting a tube a tricky and potentially dangerous procedure.

ECONOMIST: Emergency medicine

Sleep apnea is commonly treated with a "continuous positive airway pressure, " or CPAP, machine worn at night to keep the airway open.

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Sometimes a blockage along the airway can cause snoring.

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They pulled off her clothes and pumped her chest, put a tube in her airway and forced oxygen into her lungs, and tried to see if they could shock her heart back.

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Some people benefit from a special mouthpiece or a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine that keeps the airway open and prevents long pauses in breathing during sleep.

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Using an experimental technique never before tried on a human, they created a splint made out of biological material that effectively carved a path through Kaiba's blocked airway.

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Teeth grinding is a major indicator that you are struggling to keep your airway open at night and might suffer from obstructive sleep apnea.

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The first thing a paramedic has to do is ensure the patient can breathe properly, that their airway is clear - vital to prevent brain damage.

BBC