Nasal Trumpets: How a Small Tube Helps Maintain Normal Tidal Volume

A nasopharyngeal airway is also known as a nasal trumpet or nasopharyngeal trumpet. This tool is powerful in emergency medicine, though it looks small and soft. NPAs play a great role in helping patients breathe smoothly and maintain normal tidal volume, even in challenging situations. In this article, we'll discuss how the nasal airway helps maintain healthy breathing patterns. 

What Is a Nasal Trumpet?

In medical terms, we call it a nasopharyngeal airway. The flared end looks like a tiny trumpet,  where it gets its nickname. A nasal trumpet is basically a soft, flexible tube—usually made of rubber or silicone, which you can find these devices made of materials you mentioned at Bever Medical. Usage of them is gently sliding through the nose down to the back of the throat. 

Before using, ensure your patients can open their mouths. Besides, you should get to know the following suitable usage situations: 

• Is semi-conscious or unconscious
• Can't open their mouth because of trauma
• Has dental work or injuries that make oral devices tricky

In short, it's a simple tool that keeps the airway open and makes sure air can flow freely into the lungs. 

What Is Tidal Volume?

Before we go further, it's important to know the definition of tidal volume.

Tidal volume (TV) refers to the amount of air inhaled or exhaled in a single breath during normal, relaxed breathing. In healthy adults, normal tidal volume is typically about 400–600 mL per breath, or roughly 7 mL per kilogram of body weight.

It's crucial to keep proper tidal volume because it ensures enough oxygen reaches the lungs and, consequently, the bloodstream. When tidal volume drops, oxygen delivery to vital organs can be compromised, which is dangerous in any emergency situation. 

How Nasopharyngeal Airways Help Maintain Normal Tidal Volume

Sometimes, the body's natural airway can become partially blocked. This is especially common when someone is unconscious, and the tongue falls back toward the throat. Even if the chest and diaphragm are working normally, airflow can be restricted, which reduces tidal volume.

This is where a nasopharyngeal airway or nasal trumpet becomes essential. By gently bypassing the tongue and soft tissues, the device allows air to flow freely to the lungs. With an open airway, the patient can breathe with normal tidal volume, ensuring adequate oxygenation.

In other words:

A nasal trumpet does not “push” more air into the lungs—it simply clears the path, allowing the patient's natural breathing to achieve a normal tidal volume. 

Why the Army Relies on NPAs

Military medics are trained to deal with emergencies where airway obstruction is common. In battlefield conditions, soldiers may be:

• Unconscious
• Suffering facial trauma
• Wearing helmets or gear that complicates oral airway insertion

In such cases, a nasopharyngeal airway army version is included in first-aid kits because it:

1. Can be inserted quickly
2. Works even when the mouth is inaccessible
3. Minimizes gag reflex
4. Helps maintain normal tidal volume immediately
   
   

Consider a scenario: a soldier is knocked unconscious during training, and his tongue partially blocks his airway. Without intervention, his tidal volume drops, oxygenation decreases, and he risks severe complications. In seconds, a medic inserts a nasal trumpet, restoring airflow and normal tidal volume, stabilizing him until further care arrives. 

Everyday and Clinical Uses

While nasal trumpets are well-known in military settings, they are also widely used in civilian medical practice:

• Emergency rooms: For unconscious patients who are breathing but at risk of airway obstruction
• Ambulances: To ensure safe transport of trauma patients
• Sleep medicine: Sometimes used to relieve mild airway obstruction in patients with sleep apnea
• Dental procedures: When sedation is involved and mouth opening is limited

In each of these situations, the key benefit remains: keeping the airway open and ensuring adequate tidal volume. 

Safe Use Guidelines

To use a nasal trumpet safely:

1. Choose the correct size: Too small may be ineffective; too large can cause trauma.
2. Lubricate well: Prevents nasal tissue damage and eases insertion.
3. Insert gently: Always follow the curve of the nasal passage.
4. Avoid contraindicated cases: Do not use if there's a suspected basal skull fracture.
5. Monitor breathing: Check that tidal volume and oxygen saturation remain adequate.

Remember, improper insertion can cause nasal bleeding or, in rare cases, worsen airway obstruction. Training and practice are essential. 

Signs a Nasal Trumpet Is Working

Once inserted correctly, you should observe:

• Smooth, unobstructed breathing
• Normal rise and fall of the chest
• Adequate tidal volume, meaning the person takes full breaths without visible struggle
• Reduced snoring or gurgling sounds caused by airway obstruction

These signs indicate that the device is helping maintain normal tidal volume effectively. 

Conclusion

From battlefield medics to emergency rooms,  nasopharyngeal airways ensure patients to breathe effectively, keeping their tidal volume stays within the normal range. After knowing how these devices work, both medical professionals and curious patients can appreciate the importance of airway management, even in the smallest forms.

If you're looking for high-quality nasal trumpets for professional or emergency use, welcome to explore our full range of airway products, medical-gradd material guarantee, reliability, and ease of use. Equip your medical kit today and be prepared for any situation.