Airway The body is dependant on the delivery of oxygen to the tissues for survival. Without this, death from lack of oxygen to the brain will occur in about five minutes. Air, containing oxygen, enters the body through the airway, which is made up of the nose and mouth, trachea (windpipe), bronchus and lungs. The airway is normally wide open, allowing air to pass in and out of the lungs as we breathe. Clearing an airway In an unconscious casualty, the airway can be blocked simply because the tongue has fallen to the back of the throat, or dentures have fallen backwards, or the casualty has vomited. Action Babies and Children Warning << Back