Or we could just use some common sense.

Typically a locally-owned medical supply/drug store will carry them, although you can also order them indivdually online. For most applications, the 90mm version (#4) is the size that you'll want. To confirm the airway is the proper length, it should reach from the patient's earlobe to the corner of their mouth.

As far as insertion, there are a bunch of online videos showing the technique. The airway is inserted into the patient's mouth upside down until contact is made with the back of the throat, then the airway is rotated 180° to secure the tongue. No rotation is necessary to remove the device, as it follows the curvature of the tongue.

Despite what the linked video shows, OPA's are generally only used on unconscious patients, because of the high probability of stimulating a gag reflex.

Jim

I believe the point is, given the average first aid kit MOST hikers would have... using a safety pin to secure an airway long term is the only choice in the back country. Is it the absolute best? No, but then again either is an OPA... in fact it is virtually impossible to provide the BEST care for almost anything in the back country...

Wilderness/Austere medicine is about providing the care you can in crappy conditions while (hopefully) arranging for evacuation to a medical facility. In the back country you will just have to use what you have. By equipping your own IFAK with the tools you will think you need, you are improving the odds but you still won't have everything.

Now what if you don't have your IFAK and have to rely on some random average IFAK or no IFAK at all? Granted, probably not a big issue with the members of this forum in most situations but, it could happen. I can think of multiple situations where I would be without my own IFAK. Most of those situations are not in ideal circumstances or conditions and I would probably be very very happy to have my PSK.

Why do I feel like we have had this conversation on ETS before, I just can't find the old thread.