Airway Management in Microgravity

By Elizabeth Wheate

EMS300 Student Conference 2026

Slide 1: AIRWAY MANAGEMENT IN MICROGRAVITY. A full description follows.

Summary

A systematic review on airway management in microgravity highlights the unique challenges posed by this environment. The research indicates high success rates (91%-97%) for supraglottic airways, which are preferred for novices due to faster insertion and minimal training requirements. A proposed competence framework is discussed, alongside ethical considerations regarding emergency procedures in space, particularly the implications of communication delays and the potential reliance on AI versus human decision-making. The presentation targets medical professionals interested in space medicine and emergency protocols.