Invasive emergency techniques in emergency medicine

Thorax drainage, intraosseous puncture and emergency coniotomy (cricothyrotomy) are life-saving invasive emergency techniques. International and national recommendations give clear instructions on indications and implementation. However, the implementation itself and the corresponding situation when emergency techniques are to be used are often fraught with stress and fear for the emergency physician. Advice on deficits in the diagnosis and implementation of the three emergency techniques has been often described in the literature. Questionnaires have shown that the theoretical training and clinical practice is insufficient and often leads emergency physicians to feel unprepared for emergency situations. With this background practice-oriented and reality-related training concepts to learn and practice invasive emergency techniques are of great value to those active in emergency medical services.