Abstract
An email questionnaire was sent to doctors working in the intensive care units of hospitals in the North West region of the United Kingdom. The questionnaire enquired about the post held by the respondent within the trust, the size of the hospital and intensive care unit and the staff performing tracheal intubations. Further questions related to the quality of assistance including application of cricoid pressure, the routine availability of capnography and the availability of equipment for difficult intubations. Respondents were asked to comment on critical incidents or volunteer personal views on the subject. Of the 49 replies analysed 25 doctors were unhappy regarding the unavailability of capnography for intubation. Ten doctors reported critical incidents. Seventeen tespondents (34%) thought intensive care unit nurses were insufficiently trained in the application of cricoid pressure.