Emergency intubation in the crashing critical patient with infectious respiratory pathogens.

Summary: This is the first in a three part series dealing with the process for emergency intubation in the crashing patient with the novel corona virus (COVID-19). Here we discuss the technical protocols and the nomenclature around aerosol generating and airborne type precautions. Importantly, we also discuss the recent decision by some UK and Australasian bodies to designate chest compressions as a non-aerosol generating procedure, a decision that has caused ripples of confusion with different craft groups.