Bag valve mask ventilation is an essential emergency skill. This basic airway management technique allows for oxygenation and ventilation of patients until a more definitive airway can be established. This guide requires two persons to properly use the bag valve mask.
You will need
- Two rescuers
- Bag-valve-mask
Instructions
First rescuer
- Assemble the bag-valve-mask; attach the bag with valve to mask.
- Position the mask by placing the mask so that it covers the victim’s mouth and nose.
- Seal mask and open airway; place your thumbs on each side of mask to hold it in place.
- Place fingers of both hands along victim’s jawbone.
- Tilt the victim’s head back.
- Apply downwards pressure with thumbs while lifting jaw upwards with fingers.
Second rescuer
- Begin ventilation; squeeze bag smoothly until the victim’s chest rises.
- Give 1 ventilation about every 5 seconds (once about every 3 seconds for a child or infant).
- Watch chest to see that ventilation goes in.
- Recheck pulse and breathing every minute.
Do
- Attach one-way valve to the mask if necessary
- Position the mask so that there is a good seal.
- Kneel behind the patient’s or victim’s head.
- Place rim of the mask between lower lip and chin.
- Keep victim’s mouth open.
Don’t
- Tilt head if head or neck injury is suspected.
- Attempt to use a bag valve mask if you have no prior knowledge of CPR. You may hurt the person you are trying to resuscitate.
