Pre-oxygenate the patient using a tight-fitting face mask and administering 100% oxygen for 3 minutes
Judicious use of sedative medication can be considered in uncooperative patients. Holding the facemask as close to the face as tolerated, while not ideal, will enrich the entrained air with oxygen and may be a compromise in an agitated child or infant.
Rationale: Pre-oxygenation replaces nitrogen in the lungs with oxygen. This gives an oxygen reservoir which will increase the duration of time before an unconscious, apnoeic patient desaturates. This gives the provider additional time to secure the airway.