Compass is still being developed and is effectively in beta. Some content and features may be incomplete, change, or not work as expected.

Content is anchored to trusted sources where available, but Compass has not yet been clinically reviewed. It provides general information rather than medical advice.

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Breathing and ventilation

Suctioning

Using gentle vacuum through a small tube to remove saliva or mucus that cannot be cleared by coughing.

What it means

A soft tube attached to a small pump draws fluid out of the mouth, or sometimes further down. It deals with what is already there rather than helping you cough, so it is often used alongside other clearance methods rather than instead of them.

Why you might hear it

  • It may be suggested when saliva pools because swallowing has weakened.
  • Carers are often shown how to do it at home.

People who may help

Where Compass goes into this

About this explanation

These are plain explanations of words you may come across, not advice about your own situation. Where a word matters to a decision, the question pages go into it properly, and your own team is the place to take it.