Given the life-threatening consequences of impairment in either airway or breathing, rapid assessment, recognition and treatment are key.
Follow ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) systematically. In trauma, control of major hemorrhage occurs in conjunction with airway assessment.
In practice, assessment of airway and breathing occur simultaneously.
Look for respiratory effort, symmetrical chest wall movement, signs of increased work of breathing and cyanosis.
Listen for air entry, speech or crying, the presence of which means airway patency. Pay attention to added sounds such as inspiratory stridor and grunting. Auscultate for bilateral air entry.
Feel for exhaled breath and chest wall pathology.