Basic Life Support Oropharyngeal Airways

Oropharyngeal Airways (OPA) OPA is a curved device inserted into the mouth of an unresponsive patient to keep the tongue from blocking the airway Make sure the patient is unresponsive by seeing if they have a reaction to you by touching their eyelashes Suction must be available Monitor carefully 2

Oropharyngeal Airways (OPA) Before insertion, maintain an open airway Size the OPA by measuring the distance between the earlobe to the corner of the mouth NOTE: Before inserting an OPA you should already be maintaining an open airway. 3 3

Oropharyngeal Airways (OPA) Perform a jaw thrust and maintain it with one hand or place two fingers on the front of the patients jaw and open the mouth. Insert the airway with the opening at the tip and concave curve of the u-shaped portion upwards along the roof of the mouth. 4

Oropharyngeal Airways (OPAs) As the device approaches the rear of the mouth, rotate it half turn and it should drop into the back of the mouth Be prepared to apply suction Monitor the patient carefully