Guedel Emergency Airway Kit

These guedel emergency airway kits are for emergency use on unconscious patients. Use them to help the patient maintain an open oropharyngeal (between the mouth and throat) airway. They are sold in both “flexible” and “slightly flexible” form. There are 9 color coded sizes (flexible units) and in 8 color coded sizes (slightly flexible units).

These airways are also called guedel pattern airways or oropharyngeal airways (OPA).

They are designed for insertion through the patient’s mouth. Used in this way, they prevent the patient’s tongue from blocking his or her upper airway (as may happen when in an unconscious state). As a result, they allow the continued passage of oxygen through to the lungs.

Each guedel airway is basically a hollow slightly curved plastic tube with a large diameter and a protruding rim at the end. The end with the rim is to be inserted into the patient’smouth. Upon insertion, the flange of the tube will rest against the lips. The curved shape of the tube follows the curvature of the tongue. At the same time, the distal end of the airway opens into the unconscious patient’s pharynx.

The product image shown above includes all the available sizes. However, please note that these airways are sold and priced individually and not in groups.

Sizes available are 40mm (pink), 50mm (blue), 60mm (black), 70mm (white), 80mm (green), 90mm (yellow), 100mm (red), 110mm (light blue) and 120mm (purple or orange).

You can also purchase emergency airways in Flexible or Slightly Flexible form. They are 100% latex free, so no need to be concerned about adverse reactions from those with latex sensitivities.

To select the appropriate length, you measure from the center of the patient’s mouth to the angle of the jaw or (alternatively) from the corner of the mouth to the earlobe.

Guedel Emergency Airway – Intended Use

Healthcare professionals or emergency responders can use these airways to:

• Resuscitate a patient;
• Treat an unconscious patient by helping his/her breathing;
• Treat an unconsciousness patient by assisting suctioning through the airway.

When Should A Guedel Airway Not Be Used?

In general, these airways are for use only on unconscious patients. If they are used on conscious or semi conscious patients, they may cause the gag reflex to trigger. This could then cause the patient to vomit, with the result that his/her airway could again be obstructed. For treating a conscious or semi conscious patient, responders should use a nasopharyngeal airway instead.

When treating a patient with a guedel airway, responders should take appropriate isolation precautions for their safety, such as wearing a CPR face mask.