A protective guard system for orally or nasally placed patient access tubes, comprising: an elongate tubular structure configured and dimensioned to surround an orally or nasally placed patient access tube with space between the placed tube and the surrounding tubular structure, said tubular structure having length at least substantially equal to the length of the placed tube extending from the patient's mouth and a distal end configured to engage a mouthpiece of a tube holder securing the placed tube in the patient's mouth, wherein: said elongate tubular structure has a flexible portion and a substantially rigid portion; said substantially rigid portion defines at least one longitudinally extending opening configured and dimensioned to receive a port or connector of the placed tube therethrough and sized to permit movement of the substantially rigid portion without interfering with operation of the port or connector; and said elongate tubular structure is further configured to be opened for lateral placement around or removal from the placed access tube without dislodging the placed access tube from its position in the patient or disconnecting the placed tube from connected devices; wherein said flexible portion is configured and dimensioned to provide for at least expansion and contraction in a longitudinal direction, with a distal end configured to mate with the mouthpiece of a tube holder and a proximal end mating with the substantially rigid portion. an elongate tubular structure configured and dimensioned to surround an orally or nasally placed patient access tube with space between the placed tube and the surrounding tubular structure, said tubular structure having length at least substantially equal to the length of the placed tube extending from the patient's mouth and a distal end configured to engage a mouthpiece of a tube holder securing the placed tube in the patient's mouth, wherein: said elongate tubular structure has a flexible portion and a substantially rigid portion; said substantially rigid portion defines at least one longitudinally extending opening configured and dimensioned to receive a port or connector of the placed tube therethrough and sized to permit movement of the substantially rigid portion without interfering with operation of the port or connector; and said elongate tubular structure is further configured to be opened for lateral placement around or removal from the placed access tube without dislodging the placed access tube from its position in the patient or disconnecting the placed tube from connected devices; wherein said flexible portion is configured and dimensioned to provide for at least expansion and contraction in a longitudinal direction, with a distal end configured to mate with the mouthpiece of a tube holder and a proximal end mating with the substantially rigid portion. said elongate tubular structure has a flexible portion and a substantially rigid portion; said substantially rigid portion defines at least one longitudinally extending opening configured and dimensioned to receive a port or connector of the placed tube therethrough and sized to permit movement of the substantially rigid portion without interfering with operation of the port or connector; and said elongate tubular structure is further configured to be opened for lateral placement around or removal from the placed access tube without dislodging the placed access tube from its position in the patient or disconnecting the placed tube from connected devices; wherein said flexible portion is configured and dimensioned to provide for at least expansion and contraction in a longitudinal direction, with a distal end configured to mate with the mouthpiece of a tube holder and a proximal end mating with the substantially rigid portion.