Combi Tube or King Tube?

Recent talks around my parts is the possiblity of switching to the king tubes. Right now we run only combi tubes. (Should point out my department is EMT-Basic) Not sure if I like switching from what I have read king tubes come in 3 sizes so that is 6 tubes we would be mandated to have at all times compared to our 2 combi. Just wondering what others think of the 2 choices.

I did see in a recent EMS magazine the new SALT (Supraglottic Airway Laryngopharyngeal Tube) looks neat but seeing it on a video with a manaquin head and using it on a real person is two totally different things.

So sorry if this has been hashed out already. I didn't see the previous threads if they are out there. And hopefully this goes into the EMS discussion area...lol sorry huge learning curve for me to learn around here.

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Permalink Reply by Angela Wyatt on April 24, 2011 at 9:24pm
Michael,
As you stated your squad is Basic, I am not sure what state you are from or the structure of your EMS agency (local, county, regional or state) but if I were you... I would take a look at your protocols and find out what is required currently. I assume that you are working under a Medical Director? (Our department does) That is another option for you. When in doubt ask your neighboring departments. They should have some information that would help you with your decision making!
In our area- we are seeing the king airways being used more frequently. They are quicker and get the job done! Both airways are still options in our area (Western NY).
Hope this helps
Angela
Permalink Reply by Stiffler1705L266 on April 24, 2011 at 10:59pm
Micheal,

Both are used in North Central Ohio. The fire dept I work for use's the combi-tube. Most area depts are moving towards the King Airway. I think they both work well, like Angela says the King Airway is quick, but so is the combi-tube both are fast.

Hope this helps.
Permalink Reply by Gregory Borg on April 25, 2011 at 3:04pm
Our medics have the King tube and will use it first in some situations. If they cannot get the tube after two tries they go to the King tube.
Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on August 28, 2011 at 6:43pm
Add LMAs to the mix. We used LMAs as our rescue aiway of choice for several years. That usually meant using a LMA if the ET couldn't be passed in 2 tries, or if there was an obvious difficult airway when ET intubation might not be the answer.

We are switching to the King airways except for the smallest Pedi LMA sizes for which King doesn't have an equivalent.

We area also going to the King first on shockable cardiac arrests to minimize CPR interruption times, and intubating later if indicated.
Permalink Reply by Jason Brooks on August 28, 2011 at 9:39pm
Most departments that use the King use 3 sizes, they actually come in 5 sizes so that you can use them in some peds applications. After using the Combitube for years, the King is light years better. It is faster and simpler to use. The King can also be used in more applications than the Combitube. The King also takes up much less space, so carrying 6 is not a problem at all.
Permalink Reply by Roy Walker on August 29, 2011 at 12:25am
Yes Thomas good question I always believe that the more tools in the box the better.
Permalink Reply by Matthew T. Dykes on September 1, 2011 at 6:45pm
Combi tubes, there simple and affective.

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