In emergencies, maintaining an open airway is the highest priority because, without oxygen, nothing else matters. However, not every airway is easy to manage. Whether due to trauma, anatomy, or obstruction, a difficult airway can quickly become life-threatening if not addressed promptly and correctly. That’s why healthcare providers need to understand how to recognize and respond to difficult airways with a clear, methodical approach. This step-by-step guide will help ensure that you're ready to respond effectively and confidently, especially if you've trained with CPR Indianapolis , the best provider of stress-free, hands-on ACLS, BLS, and PALS certification . Step 1: Recognize the Difficult Airway The first step is recognition . A difficult airway can present in several forms, such as: Anatomical challenges (short neck, limited mouth opening, facial trauma) Obstruction due to foreign bodies, swelling, or vomit Physiological difficulties (e.g., severe hypoxia or agitation) ...