The oropharyngeal airway, more commonly referred to as the oral airway or OPA, is probably the most common of the BLS airway adjuncts. It's primary function is to assist in the maintenance of a open airway in the unconscious or semi-conscious patient without a gag reflex. When an OPA is properly placed, it will assist the First Responder in keeping the patient's tongue from dropping back and blocking the patient's airway.
Procedures Verify that patient is unresponsive.
Select proper size airway by measuring from the middle of the mouth to the angle of the jaw. Rotate the airway 90 degrees and insert into the mouth approximately half way. This will lessen the likelihood that the tongue will be pushed farther back into the throat. Rotate the airway back 90 degrees so that the bottom wraps around the back of the tongue. Inserting the OPA Make certain that the airway remains outside the lips, as it is possible for the OPA to fall into the mouth and become an obstruction.