Note: Your progress in watching these videos WILL NOT be tracked. These training videos are the same videos you will experience when you take the full ProCPR program. You may begin the training for free at any time to start officially tracking your progress toward your certificate of completion.
This lesson will focus on how to use your bag valve mask, why we might use it instead of the traditional mouth to mask rescue technique, and any concerns that may come with using a bag valve mask.
There are two sizes of bag valve masks – infant and adult/child. The mask sizes are obviously different, but so are the bag sizes, as they deliver different amounts of air into the lungs.
Pro Tip #1: If you only have the adult size bag mask, you can still use that on infants. But make sure not to deliver too much air; you want just enough to see the chest rise and fall.
Ideally, you'll have both sizes. It's always important to have the right size tool for the size of the patient.
Some aspects to be aware of concerning bag valve masks:
Pro Tip #2: If you don't see the oxygen reservoir bag inflating, or if it's inflating too slowly, put your thumb over the outlet inside the mask. This will seal the bag system so no oxygen is escaping, and the reservoir will fill more quickly.
When sealing the mask over the patient's face, there are a couple important points to note:
Warning: Do not push the mask down onto the patient's face. This will not provide a proper seal. It's your fingers and palm that creates the seal, and it's the drawing of the mandible into the mask that provides the proper head tilt, chin lift before delivering your rescue breaths.
When a second responder comes in handy: If certain facial features are complicating the sealing of the mask, incorporate the second responder into the effort.
Responder one uses two hands to create the seal, while responder two provides the rescue breaths using the bag.
Warning: If you do not see the patient's chest rise and fall, your seal is not tight, and the patient is not receiving the life-saving oxygen they need.
Pro Tip #3: If there is no way to get a proper seal, there are other adjuncts available, but these are advanced life support techniques.
Both options are possibilities if the mask isn't fitting or sealing properly.
Pro Tip #4: If you're not able to deliver rescue breaths successfully using the bag valve mask, don't use it. Set it aside and use a regular rescue mask with a one-way valve and deliver breaths mouth to mask. Don't waste time that the patient doesn't have, as they are likely becoming anoxic by the second.
The benefits of using a bag valve mask:
Another important note: Bag valve masks work best when incorporated into the team approach.
Bag valve masks require practice to perfect. So, if you're supposed to be using one as part of your own particular protocol or if you simply see the benefits of using it when compared to the traditional mouth to mask rescue technique, practice as much as you can first.
What do they say about practice? It makes perfect. And perfect use of the bag valve mask could mean the difference between life and death.