Oral Airways

When a patient loses consciousness, the tongue is the first thing to block the airway. Oral airways — also called oropharyngeal airways or OPAs — are curved plastic devices that hold the tongue forward and keep the passage open so air can move. For emergency responders, anesthesia providers, and crash-cart managers, having the right sizes on hand is the difference between a controlled airway and a scramble.

These devices are used only in patients without a gag reflex, which is why proper sizing matters as much as stocking them. The standard method: measure from the corner of the mouth to the angle of the jaw (or earlobe). Too short and the tongue isn't lifted; too long and it can push the epiglottis down and obstruct further. That's why airways come color-coded by Guedel size — a system every clinician recognizes at a glance during a resuscitation.

This collection covers the disposable, single-patient-use OPAs that stock intubation kits, ambulances, and code carts. Look for smooth flanges that seat against the lips, a rigid bite-block channel that resists occlusion, and a full size range so you're covered from pediatric to large adult. Individually wrapped, sterile-packaged options keep them ready and uncontaminated until the moment of need.

Oral airways are one piece of a complete airway-management strategy. When a patient retains a gag reflex or requires a different approach, explore our Oral & Nasal Airways selection, or step up to Laryngeal Masks & Supraglottic Airways for advanced supraglottic control. Building out a resuscitation kit? Pairing OPAs with the right adjuncts keeps your team ready for whatever comes through the door.