What immediate action should be taken if a casualty has a compromised airway?

When a casualty has a compromised airway, addressing the airway issue as a priority is crucial because maintaining an open airway is essential for survival. Without an effective airway, the casualty may not receive adequate oxygen, leading to serious complications or death within minutes.

Immediate actions may include repositioning the casualty, using techniques like the head-tilt, chin-lift, or jaw-thrust maneuver, and possibly employing adjuncts such as oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal airways if trained to do so. Promptly ensuring that the airway is clear and unobstructed can significantly impact the outcome for the casualty, making it the foremost priority in trauma care during the initial assessment.

Other options, such as waiting for further instructions, attempting to revive the casualty with verbal commands, or providing pain relief, do not prioritize the immediate need for airway management, which is critical in emergency care.