Daring to fail

During a recent practical session at university, we focused on our intubation skills. After practising regularly on manikins, I was becoming confident in my abilities. In this particular simulation, we not only had to intubate, but perform suction as well on a compromised airway. The manikin was explicitly designed for this scenario. It pumped fluid, a red-coloured vinegar solution, from the stomach into the oral cavity, flooding it and blocking the view of the crucial landmarks required for endotracheal intubation.

The increasing complexity of the task before me and the pressure of being watched by peers and staff felt suddenly daunting. As the relentless rise of fluid continued to obscure sight of the airway, my distress intensified. As the seconds passed, I became more flxated on my inadequacy. It was not until my lecturer reminded me to breathe and take a step back that I noticed my problem. The suctioning was clearing the fluid, but the laryngoscope was positioned incorrectly and the tongue blocked the view of the vocal folds. After successfully adjusting the laryngoscope, I had a clear view and was able to intubate correctly. Relief washed over me as the lungs started to expand with every ventilation.