Airway management and ventilation are the highest priorities in patient management. While this statement may seem like an oversimplification, few situations more rapidly cause disability and death than airway and breathing compromise. Maintaining the airway and ensuring breathing are almost always the very first considerations when treating emergency patients. Paramedic: Airway Management is a comprehensive stand-alone program, which meets and exceeds the airway management objectives as outlined in the 1998 U.S. Department of Transportation Paramedic National Standard Curriculum.