Bag-Valve-Mask

VENTILATION WITH BAG-VALVE-MASK

• Indicated in the patient with decreased ventilation.

• Caution is recommended in the setting of severe facial or eye trauma, foreign material (e.g. gastric content) in the airway. There are no absolute contraindications.

1. Prior

• Choose a mask of the correct size (cover the patient’s nose and mouth but not the eyes)

• Chose a bag of the correct size

• Head in neutral or sniffing position, dentures (if any) left in place

2. Procedure

• Apply the mask to the face covering nose and mouth (one or two hand technique)

• Lift the mandible using one hand (C-E clamp technique) or two hands

• Ventilate using appropriate tidal volume, pressure and rate

3. Post

• Assess chest movements

• Assess for air leak around the mask

• Assess vital signs (e.g. SpO2%)

• Assess for gastric insufflation, consider nasogastric tube