What are the golden rules of vascular access?
- 1. First attempt the technique that has yielded best personal success.
- 2. One small-gauge line beats none at all.
The messages are obvious. During resuscitation, procedures should be done by those most talented, and they should do what they do best. Although it is better to have large-gauge vascular access for resuscitation, small-gauge vascular access is adequate to deliver medications and slower infusions of fluids.