Airway management mnemonic

Efficiency of Mapleson circuits during spontaneous ventilation

The mnemonic

After Dinner, Eat Fruit, Before Coffee

What each word stands for

  • AfterA (Magill) — most efficient for spontaneous breathing
  • Dinner, Eat, FruitD, E, F — intermediate efficiency
  • Before, CoffeeB, C — least efficient

Why it matters clinically

Guides the choice of circuit and fresh gas flow.

Where it stops being reliable

Applies to spontaneous ventilation only; for controlled ventilation the order is D, E, F then B, C, then A.

Teaching aid, still awaiting independent review. Confirm facts in a standard source.

More mnemonics

Common questions

What is the Airway management mnemonic?

After Dinner, Eat Fruit, Before Coffee. It helps you recall: Efficiency of Mapleson circuits during spontaneous ventilation.

What does "After" stand for?

A (Magill) — most efficient for spontaneous breathing

What does "Dinner, Eat, Fruit" stand for?

D, E, F — intermediate efficiency

What does "Before, Coffee" stand for?

B, C — least efficient

What are all the parts of the After Dinner, Eat Fruit, Before Coffee mnemonic?

After: A (Magill) — most efficient for spontaneous breathing; Dinner, Eat, Fruit: D, E, F — intermediate efficiency; Before, Coffee: B, C — least efficient.

Which topic does this mnemonic belong to?

It belongs to Airway management in Anaesthesia.

Where does this mnemonic stop being reliable?

Applies to spontaneous ventilation only; for controlled ventilation the order is D, E, F then B, C, then A.

How is this useful clinically?

Guides the choice of circuit and fresh gas flow.

How do I make this mnemonic stick?

Say it aloud, write it from memory tomorrow, then again in a week. Then test yourself on a Anaesthesia question about Airway management.

Is this a standard mnemonic?

It is a teaching aid written or adapted by our team. Some resemble ones students share informally. Check any fact that matters in a standard source.