Question

For a single rescuer ventilating a non-breathing patient, which option is more effective: the pocket mask with supplemental oxygen or the Bag-Valve-Mask with supplemental oxygen?

1) The rescuer can use two hands to maintain head extension and seal the mask.
2) The pocket-mask cushion more readily conforms to all patients.
3) The elastic headband maintains a tight seal.
4) The pocket mask delivers a higher concentration of oxygen.

Answer 1

The BVM with supplemental oxygen is more effective for a single rescuer when ventilating a non-breathing patient, due to the ability to use two hands for maintaining the seal and providing consistent ventilation.

Step-by-step explanation:

For a single rescuer ventilating a non-breathing patient, the Bag-Valve-Mask (BVM) with supplemental oxygen is generally more effective than a pocket mask with supplemental oxygen. This is because the BVM allows the rescuer to use two hands to maintain head extension and seal the mask properly, which is crucial for effective ventilation. Additionally, the BVM can deliver high concentrations of oxygen and is capable of maintaining adequate ventilation even with varying respiratory rates and volumes, such as those seen in Maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV), Slow vital capacity (SVC), and Functional residual capacity (FRC). In contrast, while the pocket mask's cushion may readily conform to the patient's face and some are equipped with an elastic headband to maintain the seal, administering effective ventilations with a pocket mask can be more challenging and less efficient in a single-rescuer scenario.