3 19 u00b0 the taper may be within a range of tapers of between 1 7 u00b0 and 10 u00b0 a very gradual taper such as about 1 u00b0 00 u2032 may also if desired be used for the shaft portion 12 for facilitating removal of the molded dilator from the molding apparatus continuation of the taper in the proximal direction from curved tapered distal portion 16 also serves to permit if necessary further widening of the ostomy beyond 38 french such as to 40 5 french at the insertion limit 26 the curvature of curved tapered distal portion 16 may be a series of curves of different radii or a complex curve from distal end 20 at least to demarcation 22 the portion of dilator 10 between demarcation 22 and insertion limit 26 will extend during use of the dilator between the outer skin of the patient and the inside or anterior surface of the trachea of the patient also the optimum curvature may be within a range such that the outer surfaces are within a zone of tolerance while not susceptible of a precise mathematic definition it is preferred that the curvature be complementary to the curvature of conventional curved tracheostomy tubes preferably the curved distal portion 16 transitions gradually from a very flexible short tip portion 18 at distal end 20 to a more rigid shaft 12 at insertion limit 26 thus having increasing rigidity in the direction extending away from distal end 20 such flexibility transition may be generated such as providing a very small wall thickness at distal end 18 e g 0 381 mm or 0 015 in and greater wall thickness.