Learning curve for paramedic endotracheal intubation and complications

(picture courtesy of Twitter Queensland Ambulance)

Another great open access article from International Journal of emergency medicine!
Learning curve for paramedic endotracheal intubation and complications

I didnt know that it was illegal for anyone but doctors to intubate before 2004 in Japan!

The salient point about this article which shows something we have known about for some time is that the learning curve of intubation is not linear! it is flattish at the start then curves up significantly in the middle then flattens again at the top..it is sigmoidal shape.
The number needed to gain reasonable success varies between studies. 57 is an oft quoted figure.
This study suggests 30 and even then notes significant rate of complications after 30.

I think the whole approach to emergency prehospital airway management training might be wrong. stay tuned!