Identify stress-related killers

Stress can undermine performance in specific, predictable ways. Here, we highlight three stress-related pitfalls commonly seen in failed airway scenarios—so you can recognize them in yourself or your team and be better prepared to counteract them when it counts.

Techniques to enhance your fona performance

Here, we give you four techniques you can practice to enhance your performance under pressure and cultivate your Fearless FONA Mindset. Each technique provides you with all the resources for self-guided practice and in-person learning in our performance lab.

box breathing

---

1. Listen to the intro audio 🎧
2. Use the GIF to practice 🫁
3. Use it before any procedure

visualization skills

---

1. Listen to the intro audio 🎧
2. Watch the FONA procedure video
3. Use guided audio to visualize
4. Then try it without the audio

Positive self-talk

---

1. Listen to the intro audio 🎧
2. Write down 3 positive self-talk phrases
3. Practice using them

triggers

---

1. Listen to the intro audio 🎧
2. Write down a trigger phrase
3. Practice using it

Lean on Your Team

Teamwork is critical during high-stress, time-sensitive procedures like FONA because no single person can manage everything alone. Effective teamwork ensures clear communication, role clarity, and mutual support, helping to prevent errors, manage stress, and optimize performance. When teams function well, they can adapt quickly, catch mistakes early, and keep the focus on what matters most: saving the patient.

It’s not all on you

---

Learning to manage stress is essential, but reducing it is also vital. Your team is a valuable resource if you know how to utilize it effectively. Developing techniques for team communication that can support cognitive offloading and improve your bandwidth is part of cultivating a Fearless FONA mindset.