Eli5: putting a breathing tube in an awake person

Question

From what i understand youd gag on it. Are there circumstances where its needed – eg youre awake but airway is closing – and if so what would be done instead

In: Biology

Answer 1

In the emergency setting, we give a paralytic like succs or roc, and a sedative like ketamine or etomidate. Then we can intubate, after the intubation we give post sedation and pain meds to keep the PT sedated, and a long term paralytic if needed.

This is my protocol. The meds vary but the idea is the same. Paralysis and sedative, make sure they don’t regain consciousness while tubed. Being paralyzed, tube and conscious sounds like a nightmare