the esophageal tracheal combitube etc animal experiment results with a new emergency tube prompt and effective ventilation essential for patients with cardiopulmonary arrest may be provided by a new airway for emergency resuscitation the esophageal tracheal combitube etc offers endotracheal or esophageal obturator ventilation according to choice ventilation is therefore always possible after blind intubation experimental studies in dogs showed encouraging results during oesophageal placement of the etc blood gas analyses and cardiovascular parameters in particular were comparable to conventional endotracheal ventilation satisfying results were achieved during routine surgical operations in humans we intend to use the etc as a device for emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation in humans it is especially suitable for medical personnel not trained in endotracheal intubation the etc has been conceived to bridge the gap of the prehospital phase