Hi all,
It's been a while since I posted (adjusted to the shock of starting classes 3 months ago and all the studying/tests etc). We practiced intubating the mannequin yesterday. I had a really hard time lifting the mandible with the MAC blade (miller seemed to work a little better) but with both felt like my arm was straining. I purposefully made sure I wasn't using the wrist bending action and was lifting up and away but still felt like my arm was going to fall off! I also did not use the 'chicken arm' move but kept my elbow close to my side. My 2 other female classmates said their arms were straining as well. My instructor said it doesn't require muscle we just need to work on our technique (some of the guys were straining also).
I'm really worried that I won't be strong enough to intubate. I know they say it's technique, so how long does it take to acquire technique!! We start intubating in the OR next week!!! Any tips (I'm really hoping it's was just hard on the mannequin because it is so stiff and on patients their jaws will be a little more flexible!). HELP!!