MED-TAC International's Intubation Kits collection equips advanced airway providers — paramedics, flight medics, CCRNs, physicians, and Special Operations medics — with the tools to establish definitive airway control in the prehospital and austere environment. Products include endotracheal intubation kits, video and direct laryngoscope sets, bougie-assisted intubation kits, surgical airway (CRIC) kits, and complete RSI drug facilitation kits. All sourced from trusted clinical-grade manufacturers.
What Is Advanced Airway Management in Tactical and Prehospital Medicine?
Advanced airway management — the "A" in the MARCH algorithm — encompasses all interventions beyond basic airway positioning and oropharyngeal adjuncts. In tactical and prehospital contexts, this means endotracheal intubation (ETI), supraglottic airway devices (King LT, iGel), and surgical airway establishment via cricothyrotomy (CRIC). Per Joint Trauma System Clinical Practice Guidelines, airway interventions are indicated when: the patient cannot protect their own airway, GCS is ≤8, there is significant maxillofacial trauma, or respiratory failure is imminent. Definitive airway management requires advanced provider training — typically PHTLS, TCCC-MP, CCEMTP, or physician-level credentialing. For the airway supplies component without full kit assembly, see Airway Management Kits & Supplies.
What Equipment Is Included in a Tactical Intubation Kit?
A complete tactical intubation kit is built around the primary intubation attempt and a rescue airway backup. Standard kit components include: laryngoscope handle (Macintosh/Miller blades, size 3 and 4), endotracheal tubes (cuffed, 7.0/7.5/8.0 mm ID), 10cc cuff inflation syringe, bougie elastic gum stylet (60 cm/10 Fr), Magill forceps, tape or commercial tube-securing device (Thomas tube holder), end-tidal CO₂ colorimetric detector, suction bulb or portable suction (VCSS), and BVM with PEEP valve. Surgical airway kits add a #11 scalpel, tracheal hook, 6.0 cuffed tracheotomy tube, and cric forceps. Video laryngoscope kits substitute or supplement the direct laryngoscope with a portable handheld video laryngoscope (C-MAC, McGRATH MAC, or equivalent).
| Kit Type | Primary Indication | Provider Level | Key Components |
|---|---|---|---|
| ETI Kit (Direct Laryngoscopy) | Standard orotracheal intubation | Paramedic, physician, CRNA | Laryngoscope, ETT, stylet, bougie, syringe, ETCO₂ |
| Video Laryngoscopy Kit | Difficult airway, trauma patients with C-spine precaution | Paramedic, physician, flight crew | Video laryngoscope, ETT, bougie, ETCO₂ |
| Bougie-Only Kit | Difficult/failed first-attempt intubation adjunct | Any advanced airway provider | Elastic gum bougie, ETT sizes 6.0–8.0, BVM |
| Surgical Airway (CRIC) Kit | Cannot intubate/cannot oxygenate (CICO) rescue | Physician, Special Operations medic (18D/SOCM) | Scalpel, tracheal hook, 6.0 cuffed trach tube, cric forceps |
What Is a Bougie and Why Is It Standard in Tactical Intubation?
The bougie (elastic gum stylet or EGS) is a semi-rigid, 60 cm introducer that guides endotracheal tube placement when the glottis cannot be directly visualized — the most common failure mode in tactical intubation scenarios involving blood, vomitus, or facial trauma. The bougie is angled anteriorly, inserted blindly toward the trachea, confirmed by the "tracheal clicks" felt as it passes over the tracheal rings, and used as a rail over which the ETT is threaded. Studies published in emergency and prehospital medicine literature consistently show that bougie-facilitated intubation increases first-pass success rates in difficult airway scenarios. CoTCCC guidelines and TCCC-MP training curricula include bougie technique as a core skill. Browse standalone bougie options within the Airway Management Kits & Supplies collection.
When Is a Surgical Airway (Cricothyrotomy) Indicated?
Surgical cricothyrotomy is the airway rescue technique for the "cannot intubate, cannot oxygenate" (CICO) scenario — when both endotracheal intubation and supraglottic airway placement have failed and the patient is deteriorating. Common tactical indications include: massive maxillofacial trauma obstructing the oropharynx, angioedema, complete airway obstruction by foreign body not relievable by Magill forceps, or laryngeal trauma. The recommended technique per TCCC/JTS guidelines is the scalpel-bougie-tube cricothyrotomy: a vertical skin incision, horizontal cricothyroid membrane incision, bougie insertion into the trachea, and advancement of a cuffed 6.0 tube over the bougie. CRIC kits in this collection are pre-assembled for this technique. See also the Surgical Airway Kits collection.
Advanced Airway Capability — Built for the Field
For advanced providers. Complete intubation kits, video laryngoscopy, and surgical airway — direct from clinical-grade manufacturers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is endotracheal intubation still recommended in prehospital TCCC?+
What ETT size should a tactical intubation kit contain?+
What is the difference between a direct and video laryngoscope?+
Are these intubation kits available to non-medical purchasers?+
How do I confirm correct ETT placement in the field?+
What training is required to perform CRIC in the field?+
Related Collections
All products sourced from the actual brand manufacturer or authorized master distributors. CoTCCC recommendation status verified where applicable. Ships from MED-TAC International, Pembroke Pines, FL — clinician-founded, veteran-led, SDVOSB-certified.
