Guedel Emergency Airway Kit

These guedel or emergency airway kits are for use on an unconscious patient to help him or her maintain an open oropharyngeal airway. They are available in 9 color coded sizes (for flexible units) and 8 color coded sizes (for slightly flexible units).

Guedel airways are sometimes alternatively called guedel pattern airways or oropharyngeal airways (OPA).

These airways are designed to be inserted through the patient’s mouth. They help to to keep the tongue from occluding the upper airway (as can happen when an individual loses consciousness). By doing this, they help to permit the passage of oxygen through to the lungs.

Each guedel airway consists of a hollow large diameter curved plastic tube with a protruding rim at the end to be inserted into the mouth. Upon insertion into the mouth, the flange of the tube rests against the lips. The curvature of the tube follows the contour of the tongue and the distal end of the airway opens into the patient’s pharynx.

The product image shown  on this page includes all the available sizes. However, the 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, measure from the center of the mouth to the angle of the jaw or from the corner of the mouth to the earlobe.

Guedel Emergency Airway – Intended Use

Healthcare professionals can use these airways for:

• Resuscitation of a patient;
• Treating an unconscious patient by facilitating his/her breathing;
• Treating an unconsciousness patient by facilitating suctioning through the airway.

When Should A Guedel Airway Not Be Used?

In general, these airways should be used only on unconscious patients. if used on conscious or semi conscious patients, they may trigger a gag reflex that could cause the patient to vomit and his/her airway to again be obstructed. For a conscious or semi conscious patient, the use of a nasopharyngeal airway is instead indicated.

When treating a patient with a guedel  airway, healthcare professionals should take appropriate isolation precautions, such as wearing a CPR face mask.