Choosing an Airway Management Trainer

Airway trainers range from focused intubation heads to full torso and multi-procedure manikins. The best model depends on which airway techniques your students need to practice and how realistic or advanced the training environment needs to be.

Intubation Trainers

Intubation trainers are designed for repeated practice of airway visualization, tube placement and anatomical landmark recognition. Depending on the model, students may be able to practice oral and nasal endotracheal intubation as well as other airway-management techniques.

Some trainers include transparent or open-sided anatomy so instructors can observe tube placement during practice, while others emphasize realistic tissue feel and difficult-airway scenarios.

Airway Adjunct & Supraglottic Airway Training

Many airway manikins support practice with supraglottic airway devices and other airway adjuncts in addition to traditional endotracheal intubation. Compatible devices vary by trainer and may include laryngeal mask airways, Combitube-style devices, oropharyngeal airways and other airway systems.

Always verify the supported device sizes and techniques for the specific trainer before ordering.

Bag-Mask Ventilation & Suction

Some airway trainers allow students to practice bag-valve-mask ventilation, confirm chest or lung inflation and develop proper mask-seal technique. Other models also support oral or airway suctioning for more complete airway management practice.

Adult, Pediatric & Infant Airway Trainers

Airway anatomy and technique can vary by patient age, so adult airway trainers should not automatically be used as substitutes for pediatric or infant models. CPR Savers carries dedicated adult, child and infant airway-training options for programs that teach across multiple patient populations.

Difficult Airway Training

Advanced trainers may simulate more challenging anatomy or complications such as difficult visualization, restricted access, airway obstruction or abnormal airway conditions. These systems can be useful for anesthesia, EMS, nursing, respiratory care and other advanced clinical training programs.

AirSim & Airway Larry Trainers

CPR Savers carries several specialized airway-training families, including AirSim and Life/form Airway Larry models.

AirSim trainers are available in configurations that may include nasal passages, bronchial anatomy or other advanced airway features. Airway Larry models are offered as heads, heads with stands, torsos and more advanced configurations for intubation, ventilation, suction and related airway skills.

Trauma & Emergency Airway Training

Some trauma simulators combine airway management with additional emergency procedures such as needle decompression, hemorrhage control or resuscitation. These broader systems can be useful for EMS, military and trauma programs that want airway management incorporated into a complete patient scenario.

What to Compare Before Buying

• Patient age: Adult, pediatric or infant anatomy
• Intubation routes: Oral, nasal or both
• Supported airway devices: ET tubes, LMAs and other adjuncts
• Ventilation capability: BVM practice and lung/chest rise
• Suction training: Whether suction techniques are supported
• Difficult-airway features: Advanced or abnormal airway anatomy
• Instructor visibility: Open or transparent anatomy for observing placement
• Portability: Head-only, stand-mounted, torso or full-body configuration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an airway management trainer?

An airway management trainer is a medical simulation model designed for practicing airway procedures such as intubation, ventilation, suctioning and placement of airway adjuncts without performing those procedures on a patient.

Can airway trainers be used for both oral and nasal intubation?

Many can, but not every trainer supports both routes. Check the individual product specifications to confirm oral and nasal intubation capability.

Can airway manikins be used with bag valve masks?

Many airway trainers support bag-mask ventilation, but capabilities vary. Choose a model that specifically lists BVM ventilation if that skill is part of your training program.

Do all airway trainers support suctioning?

No. Some models support suction catheter placement and suction techniques, while others focus primarily on intubation and airway-device placement.

Is an airway management trainer the same as a CPR manikin?

No. A standard CPR manikin primarily supports chest compressions and rescue breathing. An airway trainer is designed for more advanced airway-management procedures such as intubation, suction and airway-adjunct placement, although some advanced manikins support both CPR and airway training.

Need broader patient-care and ALS training equipment? Browse Nursing & ALS Manikins .