New airway device for dive medics

[mikeL]

We have been using a device called an i-gel in a pre-hospital clinical trial for a while with good results. It is a supraglottic airway device similar to a LMA but with a solid gel cuff.

i-gel | Supraglottic Airway Device with Non-inflatable Cuff

It is much quicker to insert and is at least as secure as a traditional LMA. The solid cuff means it can go in a chamber (checked with DDRC) is also has a gastric drainage tube which might be a good thing for diving patients.

I understand that the ambulance service are looking at it for their lower levels of training.


No I am not on commission - just spreading the word,

Mike

[Treerat]

Spoke to our trainer about these, he's going to take a look.

[Sandman]

I used these on my DMT course, much easier than intubation with the Laryngoscope and probably a lot less painful for the casualty when they come round.

[HP]

Looks good. I'm a big fan of the Intersurgical Eco NRB's as well, huge improvement over the old plastic skirted, "rubber flap" valve NRBs, much better fit and consequently higher O2 concentration

[crabbymedic]

we use the traditional 'fanny on a stick' lma if we cant intubate, or no paramedic, as technicians are able 2 use them. I'd prefer 2 get a tube in due 2 greater airway security from aspiration, but lma's & i gels are good.

Hp. I have a few lma's & i gels in my kit, so if i'm alowed 2 come & play on the DELS course i can bring them down.

[craige]

I used these on my DMT course, much easier than intubation with the Laryngoscope and probably a lot less painful for the casualty when they come round.

But I do not believe that they provide a definitive airway such as provided with an endo-tracheal tube, so there is a risk of aspitation. Like all things both have advantages and disadvantages.

[mikeL]

You are right but many teams (like mine) are not trained to intubate so LMAs and these new I-gels are a great improvement on simple airways like NPs and OPs

I also want to combi-tube type devices

Mike

[diverstu]

If you are in a situation in Saturation diving, where the time between getting an injured diver into the Bell and into the system can be an hour, and given the space considerations in a Bell for actual intubation, I think these i-gels would be an invaluble addition to the Bell 1st aid kit.