An assistant identifies the cricoid cartilage and applies pressure posteriorly.
Rationale: Cricoid pressure compresses the esophagus between the cricoid cartilage anteriorly and the vertebral column posteriorly, theoretically decreasing the possibility of regurgitation of stomach contents into the oropharynx, and subsequent aspiration.
Cricoid pressure should be maintained until the ETT is confirmed to be in the trachea and the cuff is inflated.