I still firmly believe that prehospital ETI should be reserved for a select few with advanced airway training, not the standard paramedic curriculum alone. Yes, this would include how, and why they should be placed directly on the ventilator.
I couldn't disagree more. And please know I have a lot of respect for you. However, this is clearly a protocol and training/education solution, not scope of practice. To throw the baby out with the bath water because people are jumping to ET too soon will mean that someone in the future who would benefit from the intervention won't have access to it.
I've sent his happen in Canadian jurisdictions where they've taken away Gravol (Dimenhydrinate) and Benedryl (Diphendramine) from EMTs. It's become the joke we'll stop at the drug store on the way to the hospital. Does every patient who gets into poison ivy need Benedryl? No. But that patient of mine who had angio edema - yes, and I didn't have it within my scope.