DAO strongly recommends that each office acquire an upper airway manikin to improve simulation fidelity and add realism to team rehearsal scenarios. Best meaningful uses of this device are to improve anatomic recognition, enhance team familiarity with airway devices and connections, train staff on the indications and movement of airway devices, practice protocols and task sequencing and support muscle memory. The goals are to clearly understand and comprehend airway algorithms; train, assign and coordinate team duties and to and rehearse with YOUR TEAM in YOUR OFFICE to the extent that each member will be prepared to act and confidently perform pre-assigned duties without prompting from others during stressful, time-urgent situations.

The cost of an airway manikin approximates air and hotel costs for 1 person for 1 meeting only. The airway manikin will last for life.

All team members should be mindful of limitations with manikin use; that there are differences between airway manikins and real patients. For starters, manikin anatomy is static, while human variation is very real and often times unpredictable. Successful positive pressure ventilation with a full-face mask, placement of extraglottic devices and intubation are immediately learned procedures with manikin use, however, this does not guarantee similar success with patients. In fact, simulators can falsely boost confidence with airway skills, exaggerating their need, and prematurely tempting the sedation provider to skip over or abandon important steps such as positive pressure ventilation with a full face mask – the brass ring of airway management. Knowing how is not the same as knowing if or when. Over-emphasizing placement of airway devices, while ignoring viral signs, medications, doses and patient responses can happen without awareness.

* DAO has no financial relationship.

Lucisano, K.E., et. al. Simulation Training for Advanced Airway Management for Anesthesia and Other Healthcare Providers: A Systemic Review. AANA 80:25-31, 2012.

Kennedy, C. C., et. al. Advanced Airway Management Simulation Training in Medical Education: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis. Crit Care Med 42:169-78, 2014.

Shah, R.T., et. al. Simulation Training for Critical Care Airway Management. Chest 158:272-8, 2020.