Abstract: A pharyngeal bulb airway adapted to be placed in the airway of a person who is otherwise incapable of self sustained breathing, consists of a pliable, hollow dome-like-shaped bulb connected to a breathing tube. Insertion of the pharyngeal bulb airway breathing device into the airway of a person is facilitated by compressing the bulb to reduce its size, and by the use of a flexible rod or wire to maintain the reduced size until the breathing device is properly positioned. The flexible rod or wire is threaded through holes formed within the dome-like-shaped bulb after the bulb has been collapsed. When the wire is removed from the holes, the bulb resumes its normal dome-like shape. The bulb is preferably adapted to be placed in the pharynx with the holes facing in the direction of the epiglottis.