Why do you have to open airway quickly on a casualty that has no control over her muscles?

A casualty who has no control over their muscles is at risk of airway obstruction due to several factors:

1. Loss of Muscle Tone: When a person loses control over their muscles, the muscles that support the airway, such as the tongue and the muscles of the neck, relax and can block the airway.

2. Aspiration: In this condition, a person may lose the ability to swallow effectively, increasing the risk of aspirating fluids, vomit, or secretions into the lungs, further obstructing the airway.

3. Reduced Ventilatory Effort: Loss of muscle control can also affect the muscles responsible for breathing, leading to shallow breathing or even respiratory arrest. This compromises the airway and reduces the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

4. Trauma: In cases where loss of muscle control results from trauma, such as spinal cord injury or head injury, there may be direct damage to the structures of the airway itself, causing obstruction.

Opening the airway quickly in such casualties is crucial to restore breathing and prevent potentially life-threatening complications. Maintaining airway patency ensures adequate ventilation and allows oxygen to reach the lungs, helping to stabilize the casualty's condition until further medical assistance arrives.