An improved ventilation device that can be inserted into the mouth of a patient to provide an airway through the oral pharyngeal cavity includes: (a) a mouthpiece having an interior portion that is bounded by top and bottom surfaces, outer and inner semi-elliptically-shaped perimeter surfaces and two end surfaces, wherein: (a1) each of these end surfaces is oriented approximately parallel to the minor axes of the perimeter surfaces, (a2) the outer perimeter surface has a front portion proximate the point where it is intersected by its major axis, (b) top and bottom recesses in the mouthpiece's respective top and bottom surfaces that each are configured to accommodate a patient's respective upper and lower teeth, and (c) an airflow passageway through the mouthpiece's interior portion.
