Report updated Apr 2, 2026
The Difficult Airway App
v3.3Airway Management Education Center
Clinicians managing emergency airways, including physicians in ED/ICU settings, in-patient units, and EMS professionals.
What Is The Difficult Airway App?
Launched Jun 7, 2011
Updated Jan 2026
What users think iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.
What does it look like?
What are the key features?
Rapid selection of drugs for Rapid Sequence Intubation with automatic adjustments for patient weight, body habitus, and hemodynamics.
Color-coded pediatric drug dosing and equipment selection based on the established Broselow-Luten system.
Step-by-step guidance through airway management algorithms and mnemonics like LEMON, ROMAN, RODS, and SMART.
Allows clinicians to tailor the drug list to only include medications available in their specific practice environment.
Detailed illustrations of airway anatomy and direct links to professional airway management courses.
What do users think? iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.
“Recent user voice shows a mixed sentiment. Users appreciate quick and exact dosing and educational video content, but report outdated and missing clinical info and too basic / lacks depth.”
What Users Love
The app gives you exact dosing of RSI drugs given some basic patient info so you don't have to calculate
It works well. It's pretty quick on my iPhone.
It also has 45 min of video instruction and the algorithms Dr Walls teaches
Nice quality app, the videos are a nice touch
Pain Points
App does NOT give dosing info on vecuronium in the algorithm, only gives info on rocuroium.
The course materials have been updated with new algorithms but... the last DAC app update is 9 months ago.
Very basic, not much information, probably ok resource for medical student.
Not a whole lot to this app. Just the facts. I purchased two more app's as this was not enough
This app has some great features.... That other apps have for $1.99.
Nice app, a little pricy though.
would be nice if I were able to change the dose in the app.
would be nice if it told you how much per kg along with the total amount
Medium confidence · 22 reviews available
How is it ranked?
| Chart | Rank | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Paid | #58 | NEW |
What are the pros and cons?
Pros
- Proprietary integration of the Broselow-Luten color system for pediatric dosing.
- Rapid, automated RSI calculations that adjust for hemodynamics and body habitus.
- Strong brand association with renowned airway experts.
- High-quality educational video and anatomy content included natively.
Cons
- Outdated clinical database (e.g., missing alternative paralytics like Vecuronium).
- Lack of transparency in calculations (users want to see the per-kg dosing breakdown).
- Perceived as too basic for advanced practitioners, limiting its long-term utility.
- Infrequent updates lead to a feeling of abandonment among paying users.
What is the market outlook?
Growth Opportunities
- Adding a toggle to show the exact mg/kg math alongside the total dose to resolve a top user complaint.
- Updating the database to include modern, alternative RSI medications to restore clinical trust.
- Shifting from a single B2C purchase to B2B institutional licenses for EMS agencies and hospitals.
Market Threats
- Comprehensive competitors like Vargo Anesthesia and MDCalc offer broader toolsets, making single-purpose apps feel less valuable.
- Emerging apps like DAS Guidelines offer authoritative, free, or society-backed algorithms.
- Users are increasingly expecting basic medical calculators to be free or included in broader subscriptions.
Who competes with The Difficult Airway App?
The Nemesis
Why it's a threat
- +
Users are happier — sentiment 65/100 vs 45
- +
Higher rated at 4.6★ vs 4.1★
Contenders
Pedi STAT
James M Kempema MD PA
Competes directly on pediatric emergency dosing, utilizing weight-based and color-coded systems similar to the app's Broselow-Luten integration.
Competes directly on pediatric emergency dosing, utilizing weight-based and color-coded systems similar to the app's Broselow-Luten integration.
Anesthesia Central
★4.7 (103)Unbound Medicine, Inc.
A premium reference tool for anesthesiologists and ED physicians featuring drug dosing, airway management guidelines, and emergency protocols.
A premium reference tool for anesthesiologists and ED physicians featuring drug dosing, airway management guidelines, and emergency protocols.
Targets the exact same EMS audience by providing rapid access to field protocols, including airway management and RSI guidelines.
Peers
The industry standard for general drug dosing and pharmacology reference, used heavily in emergency settings.
Drug Interaction Checker
UpToDate
★3.7 (523)UpToDate, Inc.
The leading clinical decision support tool used by physicians to look up airway management evidence and dosing guidelines.
The leading clinical decision support tool used by physicians to look up airway management evidence and dosing guidelines.
New Kids on the Block
Pedi STAT EMS
James M Kempema MD PA
Specializes in pediatric anesthesia emergencies, overlapping significantly with the app's pediatric airway and dosing features.
Specializes in pediatric anesthesia emergencies, overlapping significantly with the app's pediatric airway and dosing features.
NYSORA Nerve Blocks
NYSORA inc.
While focused on regional anesthesia, it targets the exact same anesthesiology user base with high-quality clinical algorithms and anatomy visuals.
While focused on regional anesthesia, it targets the exact same anesthesiology user base with high-quality clinical algorithms and anatomy visuals.
What are the key takeaways?
The Difficult Airway App is a divisive medical app that is a paid app. With a 4.1/5 rating from 22 reviews, it receives mixed feedback from users. Users particularly appreciate quick and exact dosing, though outdated and missing clinical info remains a common concern.
Best for: Clinicians managing emergency airways, including physicians in ED/ICU settings, in-patient units, and EMS professionals.
How much does it cost?
Model: paid
The app utilizes a straightforward, low-cost premium model, positioning itself as an affordable, essential professional tool rather than a subscription-based service.
iOS Version
3.3
Android Version
3.2.1
Release Date
Jun 7, 2011
iOS Price
$4.99
Android Price
$4.99
Developer
Airway Management Education Center