Development of a Novel Low-Cost Emergency Airway Simulator to Improve Access to Clinical Training in Resource-Limited Paramedicine

Effective airway management is a cornerstone of prehospital emergency care, often determining the outcome of critically ill or injured patients. However, prior studies have identified several possible risk factors that hinder the performance of advanced airway management procedures in the field, such as endotracheal intubation (ETI) and cricothyrotomy. These risk factors may include facial trauma, airway obstruction, trismus, or confined rescue environments. Medical simulation is an educational modality for emergency medical services (EMS) providers to build their practical skills in a controlled, psychologically safe environment. However, due to economic and supply chain issues, it may be challenging for EMS providers working in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to obtain high-quality commercial training products to practice these procedures. To address this limitation, we designed and built an innovative, cost-effective task trainer using readily available materials that offers immediate feedback on the correct placement of advanced airway devices.