Seven per cent of deaths resulting from motor car accidents are due to asphyxia without any other major injury. This highlights the importance of maintaining an unobstructed airway in patients following motor vehicle accidents. These cases of asphyxia are due to laryngeal spasm, aspirated foreign material, or pharyngeal obstruction by the tongue in a semi-conscious or unconscious patient. It is reasonable to assume that many of these lives could be saved by simple techniques, such as removing foreign material from the pharynx, pulling the chin and head back firmly, and turning the patient into the lateral position.