Theatre-based hospital placements for firefighters.

Airway obstruction is the most common cause of death in the prehospital environment. It is estimated that 85% of these patients had otherwise survivable injuries. The aim of the project was to increase firefighters' skills in airway management techniques, to include the laryngeal mask airway (LMA), by providing theatre-based hospital placements under the supervision of a consultant anaesthetist. The training in the use of the LMA by firefighters is currently a pilot project to assess the potential for its use operationally, based on ease of training to a competent level and retention of skills after one year.