Combitube & Airway Management

Every second counts when a patient has severe difficulty breathing or stops breathing altogether. In these circumstances, applying an oxygen mask is vital. When a patient stops breathing, oxygen can be forced into their lungs using a bag-valve mask. This procedure is very similar to that taught in CPR classes with mouth to mouth ventilations, but drastically minimizes the risk to the rescuer.

The process of providing ventilations for a patient can be enhanced by using the Combitube. The Combitube is a device that allows a rescuer to insert a tube into the patient's throat when the patient is not breathing or does not have a pulse. The tube will either go down the trachea (windpipe) or esophagus. The rescuer will perform an assessment to determine where the tube has been placed and how to appropriately ventilate a patient.

When the Combitube is inserted into the trachea, oxygen can be forced directly into the the patient's lungs. When the Combitube is inserted into the esophagus, balloons are inflated to allow oxygen to only enter the trachea and lungs.

The use of the Combitube has been approved by the Vermont Department of Health, Emergency Medical Service Office. Only advanced EMT's are permitted to use the Combitube.