From a strictly technical standpoint, the NPA is the logical airway adjunct to carry if you're short on space; They're flexible, smaller than OPA's, and most importantly, can be used on a conscious OR unconscious patient.

My airway process would be: Assess patient...if he needs an airway and he's conscious, I definitely consider NPA. Not conscious, unresponsive, OPA until I get him to the truck, then replace OPA with Combitube and bag like there's no tomorrow until ALS arrives or we're at the hospital.

I would definitely consider an NPA as part of my airway continuum. However, I'm not actually an experienced medic. I need more experience to make that decision for field work.

I'm not out of school yet, but I see the NPA as having a place in my own home medical gear for just those reasons, where space and cost are at a premium and therefore maximum utility per unit is desired.

Panz