PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a loading dilator that is structured to minimize a transition part between the loading dilator and a tracheostomy tube.SOLUTION: The loading dilator 20 for positioning a medical apparatus across an opening formed through a body wall of a patient includes a tubular body 22 having a relatively rigid proximal portion 23 and a distal portion 27. The distal portion includes a first relatively flexible segment 32 and a second relatively rigid segment 34. The first segment is axially extendable from a first length that has a greater diameter than the second segment, to a second length having a diameter that does not substantially exceed the diameter of the second segment. A stylet 50 is movable in a passageway of the tubular body between a first position wherein the first segment has the first length, and a second position wherein the stylet distal end exerts axially displacing force on the second segment such that the first segment is movable from the first length to the second length.