How to Deliver Breaths with a Bag Mask?

Bag-mask ventilation is a method that offers an individual immediate ventilation during an emergency. BMV is the process of manually pumping oxygen into the person’s lungs with the help of a self-inflating bag. Several health conditions and accidents can lead to breathing difficulties. BMV uses bag valve masks and supplies an individual with oxygen. A bag valve mask is a tool used by professionals to pump oxygen into a person’s lungs. Do you want to know more about BMV and how are breaths delivered using a bag-mask device? The blog explores more about bag-mask ventilation, how it works, and how breaths are delivered using a bag mask. Keep reading. 

Why are bag masks crucial?

Bag-mask ventilation is a crucial component in various medical emergencies. Here are key situations where bag-mask ventilation is required: 

Cardiac arrest: 

While delivering basic life support, a bag-mask provides controlled ventilation along with chest compressions. The device allows rescuers to deliver high-quality breaths. It removes carbon dioxide and oxygen. Proper use of the bag-mask device needs practice and skill to achieve seal and volume of breaths. Use this technique to improve your survival chances. 

Pre-hospital emergency care: 

Bag mask ventilation is a crucial component and offers respiratory support to patients who face difficulty breathing. This device allows medical responders to deliver breaths slowly and ensures adequate oxygenation. They stabilize patients in respiratory distress while transporting them to the hospital. 

During anesthesia, bag-mask ventilation ensures the patient maintains adequate ventilation and oxygenation. Anesthesiologists use bag-mask ventilation during induction, especially when intubation is delayed. During surgical procedures, a bag-mask helps prevent hypoxia and maintain stable blood oxygen levels. 

Neonatal resuscitation: 

In neonatal intensive care units, bag-mask devices are the first line of support for newborns. This is for newborns who are not breathing properly at birth. 

Respiratory failure in chronic illness: 

Patients with chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma often experience acute exacerbations. Bag-mask ventilation might benefit them until further treatment is provided. 

Drowning and near-drowning incidents: 

In situations involving drowning or near-drowning, a bag-mask device can provide essential ventilation during resuscitation. 

Drug overdose: 

In cases of drug overdose, bag-mask devices can help support breathing until the effects of the drugs go away. 

Mass casualty incidents: 

In situations that involve mass casualties and where resources are limited, you can use bag-mask devices for quick respiratory support. Bag-mask ventilation helps provide immediate support. It gives support to multiple patients. In these scenarios, quick ventilation can be critical. The versatility makes them suitable for several emergency situations. 

How are breaths delivered using a bag mask device?

Before using a bag mask, understand its components and check the patient’s suitability. Secure consent if he is conscious, and clear the airway. Here are ways how are breaths delivered using a bag mask: 

Prepare equipment: 

Ensure all parts of the bag-mask device are well equipped, including the face mask and other additional components. 

Connect to oxygen: 

If you need supplemental oxygen, connect the tubing to an oxygen source and adjust the flow rate. 

Position the patient: 

Lay the patient on the back, with the head elevated. 

Monitor the patient closely: 

Assess the chest of the patient and evaluate the effectiveness of efficiency. 

Listen for air escape:

If you hear air escaping, adjust the mask seal or the force of the compressions. 

Consider advanced airway ventilation: 

If bag-mask ventilation is not adequate, prepare for intubation. 

Protect from aspiration: 

If the patient does not show signs of vomiting, turn the head to the side and prevent aspiration. Clear the airway, if required. 

Avoid over-inflation: 

If you over-inflate the lungs, it can cause barotrauma. Avoid this at any cost. 

Clean and disinfect: 

Follow the right protocols and clean and disinfect the device after its use. 

Transition to advanced care: 

Keep a close eye on the patient’s response and be ready to adapt to the situation. 

Coordinate with other professionals: 

If the situation needs more advanced care, coordinate with other healthcare providers and smoothly transition to the next level of care. 

What are the benefits of using a bag mask?

Bag-mask ventilation is crucial in emergency medicine and anesthesia. It provides critical respiratory support when a patient cannot breathe independently. By allowing healthcare providers to deliver high-quality breaths, it ensures that patients maintain oxygenation. Here are the key benefits of using a bag mask: 

Ensures oxygenation: 

Bag-mask devices deliver a high concentration of oxygen. This is crucial to maintaining oxygen levels. Effective oxygenation is crucial in situations where the breathing is irregular, such as during cardiac arrest. 

Portable and versatile: 

Bag-mask devices are portable and lightweight. This enables everybody to utilize it. This is vital in incidents that involve mass casualties. 

Non-invasive ventilation: 

Bag-mask ventilation does not need intubation. This reduces the risk of complications. It also allows quicker application, which is beneficial during emergencies. 

Immediate respiratory support: 

Bag-mask devices are used immediately after identifying a patient in distress. Prompt use of this technique boosts patient outcomes and stabilizes patient’s conditions. 

Effective for several types of patients: 

These devices are suitable for both infants and adults. This is because of its versatile mask sizes and adjustable ventilation techniques. Furthermore, it enables them to deliver effective support to the respiratory system. 

What is the breath rate with a bag-mask device?

A bag-mask device provides ventilation to a patient during emergencies. The breath rate, or the number of breaths, is crucial in ensuring proper oxygenation and ventilation. 

For an adult, the recommended breath rate is typically between 10 and 12 breaths per minute. This is one breath every 5 to 6 seconds. 

In pediatric patients, the breath rate varies depending on the age. Infants must receive 20 breaths per minute. Children, on the other hand, must receive 12 to 20 breaths per minute. 

Follow proper technique while using a bag-mask device. The rescuer must ensure a tight seal between the mask and the patient’s face. Squeeze the bag gently and avoid rapid breaths. 

Bag-mask ventilation is performed along with chest compressions during CPR. In these cases, you need to adjust the breath rate. For example, during continuous chest compressions in adults, give two breaths after every compression. This aligns with the chest compression rate of 100–120 per minute. 

Ensure proper technique and follow the recommended rates for different age groups. This will improve patient outcomes during emergencies. 

Read more: How to become CPR certified?

Are they always successful?

While bag-mask ventilation is not always fully waterproof, it is successful when used correctly. The key factors that influence its success include the experience and skill of the rescuer and the context of its use. According to a study, proficiency in bag-mask ventilation boosts outcomes. Proper training ensures that rescuers can deliver volumes of air correctly. 

Additionally, the American Journal of Emergency Medicine reports that when rescuers are trained well, the success rate of bag-mask ventilation in pre-hospital settings can be high. This includes scenarios that involve patients with normal airway anatomy. 

Which mask delivers 100% oxygen?

A non-breathing mask delivers 100% oxygen. It utilizes a reservoir bag and one-way valves. During inhalation, the valves ensure the flow of oxygen from the reservoir bag to the patient’s lungs. It prevents the inhalation of room air. The basis exits through the vents and ensures that the patient does not rebreathe exhaled air. This design optimizes the delivery of high oxygen concentrations.

What factors affect the success of BMV ventilation?

The success of BMV ventilation depends on factors such as the following: 

• The person’s airway
• A tight seal on the face mask
• Proper ventilation technique
• Using a PEEP value when required

A medical professional must ensure that a person stays in the correct position before starting BMV. Certain factors make BMV challenging for a healthcare professional. The factors include individuals who: 

• Have obesity 
• Are snoring 
• Have no teeth. 
• Are stiff 
• Are older adults 
• Have beards 

What are the risks?

Using a bag-mask device comes with certain risks when not performed well. Be aware of the risks to reduce potential complications and ensure safety and efficiency. 

Gastric inflation: 

Excessive pressure can cause air to enter the stomach. This leads to vomiting and bloating. 

Decreased cardiac output: 

Excessive ventilation can reduce blood return to the heart. This can hamper the condition of the patients. 

Barotrauma: 

High ventilation pressures cause damage to the lungs. This may cause pneumothorax or other pulmonary injuries. 

Inadequate ventilation: 

Poor technique or an improper seal can cause insufficient oxygen delivery. 

Obstructed airways: 

If you fail to maintain an open airway, it can lead to ineffective ventilation. 

Fatigue of the rescuer: 

Provides manual ventilation for an extended time period. This is harmful and can cause rescuer fatigue and reduce the efficiency of ventilation efforts. 

What are the after-care tips for BVM ventilation?

Using BVM ventilation requires regular care. Here are some tips for its aftercare: 

Continue bag-valve-mask ventilation until you achieve a definitive artificial airway or spontaneous ventilation is adequate. 

If a patient becomes more conscious while doing BVM ventilation with an oropharyngeal airway, remove it and provide continued treatment. 

If endotracheal intubation is necessary, Ventilate using a maximum FiO2 with the help of a non-rebreather mask for 3-5 minutes. If this is not feasible, preoxygenate the patient and give 5 to 8 vital capacity breaths. 

Read more: Importance of Rescue Breathing in Effective CPR

Master the Basics of Delivering Breaths with a Bag Mask

Thus, now that you know how breaths are delivered using a bag mask, deliver breaths effectively using this technique. Start by positioning the mask over the patient’s nose and mouth. Squeeze the bag gently and take a breath. Wait for the chest to rise. Do not squeeze too hard. Keep an eye on the patient’s chest movement and ensure ventilation. This will help you confidently provide breathing in emergencies. While using this technique, be aware of the risks to ensure safety and effectiveness. Take proper training to use the device to confidently and safely deliver life-saving breaths.