Pitfalls

Airway management is fraught with difficulties. These include:

Failing to be prepared well in advance of a potential difficult airway situation
Not recognising that an airway may be difficult or may become difficult soon (e.g. upper airway burns)
Being falsely reassured by a lack of indicators of difficulty
Not calling for help early
Pursuing attempts to place an endotracheal tube rather than maintaining oxygenation
Not recognising when a cant intubate/cant ventilate scenario has arisen and there is an immediate need for a surgical airway