The 46-year-old usually practiced the time-tested method of using his fingers to scoop out the vomit, blood clots and broken teeth blocking people's airways.

Unfortunately, the finger-sweep method doesn't always clear a good path. Nearly 75 percent of people who inhale vomit while unconscious die, said Rehman, of the North Metro Fire Rescue District.

There also is the toll on those trying to save a life. During one rescue, a victim bit the tip off Rehman's middle finger.

"I just figured there had to be a better way to do this, one that could save more people and make it easier on people like me," Rehman said.

Finally, about three years ago, he was jolted from his sleep with a flash of an idea. "I saw something that could clear someone's throat while still sucking out the junk clogging the airway," Rehman said.

He ran to the station-house kitchen and built a prototype using spoons and soda straws.

The end result is an airway suction spoon called the S3 Oropharyngeal Evacuation Tool. The device is manufactured by SSCOR Inc., a California company that produces portable suction devices for emergency medical procedures. SSCOR helped refine Rehman's idea and is doing an initial run of 20,000 suction spoons, which will hit the market in a few weeks.

The devices — which cost about $5.50 apiece — will be marketed to EMTs, hospitals and clinics. "It's aimed at every life saver," said Jon Kim, SSCOR's chief operating officer.

The beauty of Rehman's tool is it is simple but effective, Kim said. It's about 10 inches long, relatively soft but sturdy.

The spoon-shaped tip allows a medic to quickly scoop away pieces of vomit or other material that are too large for a standard suction tip while keeping fingers out of harm's way.

The S3 also acts as a large-bore suction tip, with an inner diameter much larger than the traditional suction tip. Suction is controlled by a medic's thumb or can be automatically set, allowing a medic to use both hands to help the victim.

The design of the device allows flexibility to help a medic keep the airway clear.

Rehman almost gave up on his device because no one seemed interested at first. His father-in-law built two fiberglass prototypes, and Rehman got a patent and set out trying to find investors.

Rehman said he pitched his idea to larger companies that took a pass. But SSCOR Inc., he said, seems more "oriented to helping the foot soldiers, the rescue workers, working the day-to-day emergencies."

"When he talked to us, it just seemed to make complete sense to us," Kim said. "It could change some life-saving practices out there."

The device has yet to be field-tested, but Rehman is confident it will work. He, by the way, will be making some money off his brainstorm.

"I won't get rich, but at least I'll know I maybe helped some people out there," he said.