The manual resuscitator, or bag valve mask (BVM), represents the standard means for providing emergency ventilatory support. Despite its widespread use and the essential role it plays, it remains a skill with high variability regardless of a healthcare provider’s qualifications, training, experience, or confidence.
This may be attributable to inherent challenges in an emergency situation, coupled with the minimal safeguards available with BVM. Such variability can lead to hyperventilation, including overventilation, and/or hypoventilation, including underventilation, each carrying risks of severe complications such as aspiration pneumonia, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and even death.
Pressure Delivered During Manual Ventilation
Prevents high air flow rates (>55LPM) during manual ventilation, thereby limiting peak air pressures. Regulation of airflow helps reduce excessive tidal volumes and breath delivery rates, minimizing the risk of over-ventilation and hyperventilation
Intended to minimize air entry into the stomach
Immediate real-time haptic auditory and visual feedback
Decreases provider variability and improves consistency of ventilation
30 second basic training