Airways-2 Clinical Study

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is one of four ambulance services taking part in a clinical study looking at the best way to manage the airway of patients who have had an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest – placing a breathing device into the back of the mouth or a breathing tube into the windpipe.

The AIRWAYS-2 study will determine which airway management gives the best survival and recovery rates for patients.

Presently, only one in 10 people who suffer a cardiac arrest outside of hospital will survive to make a full recovery. There is now a real desire amongst our paramedics and airways experts to find the best method to use to ensure a clear airway during an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Adult patients who suffer a cardiac arrest, that is not caused by injury, and who are attended by an AIRWAYS-2 paramedic, will be enrolled automatically in the study. However, you can opt out if an immediate family member, relative or close friend is present and tells the paramedic at the start of treatment that you do not wish to take part.

For more information about the study visit www.airways-2.bristol.ac.uk.