Bag Valve Mask

About the Masks

Bag valve masks come in several sizes, one for an infant and another for children and adults. They deliver differing amounts of oxygen into the patient.

The actual mask should fit over the patient’s airway.

Some masks come with a reservoir that holds 100% oxygen. When used, these masks deliver a higher concentration of oxygen to the body to compensate for poor breathing and circulation.

Using the Masks

• Should the mask not inflate at an appropriate rate, put your thumb over the outlet to only allow the reservoir itself to fill.
• Oxygen should be on high flow, but if this is not possible, remove the reservoir.
• The mask is composed of an apex (it fits over the nose) and a bell (it fits over the chin). These should seal the chin and the face of the patient below the bottom lip
• Use the CE Method when applying the mask
  • Use the thumb and the index fingers (the “C”) to hold the stem of the mask and balance the pressures on each sides of the face, and use the other fingers (the “E”) to draw the jaw into the mask
• Facial features, whether external, internal, or traumatic, can lead to difficulties sealing the mask. Have a second person seal the mask while you squeeze the bag itself.
  • If there is no way to fit the mask over the patient, use superglottic airways and endotracheal tubes to deliver air.
• Do not attempt to push down on the mask yourself.
• If you are unable to deliver air via a bag valve mask, consider using the rescue mask alone or one of the aforementioned alternatives. If you can’t deliver air via a certain method, don’t do it.