Guedel Airway

Maintains a gas pathway through the oral cavity and pharynx
Anatomically correct design
Atraumatic soft rounded edges
Resists to collapse
Smouth inner and outer surfaces
Bite block provides access for suction catheters
Flexible to ensure dental protection
Sterile and clean pack bulk packaging
Colour codied

What is a Guedel (oropharyngeal) airway?
A Guedel is a rigid plastic tube which sits along top of mouth and ends at base of tongue (an adjunct to help keep airway open)
An oxygen mask or bag mask ventilation can be applied over the top if needed
Use: Prevents tongue covering epiglottis in patients with reduced GCS
Size: Use one that matches the distance between the corner of the patient’s mouth and angle of their jaw

How to insert a Guedel airway
Ensure no foreign bodies in the mouth
Lubricate the oropharyngeal airway
Insert into the mouth upside down (reduces risk of pushing tongue back)
Once tip is around hard-soft palate junction, rotate 180˚ and advance the rest of the way
If the patient gags it is unlikely they will tolerate this airway. Stop insertion and try a nasopharyngeal airway instead.
Confirm airway patency

Size cm Colour
000 3cm Transparent
00 4cm Light grey
0 5cm Blue
1 6cm Black
2 7cm White
3 8cm Green
4 9cm Yellow
5 10cm Red
6 11cm Orange