25. Airway / Breathing

  1. Face masks provide barrier between rescuer and patient. Some have one way valve, which prevents expired air from coming in contact with rescuer. Also prevent contact with vomitus and blood. 
  1. Using a face mask.  Position yourself at patient’s side. From here, can administer both ventilations and compressions. Pointy end of mask goes over patient’s nose. Seal mask against patient’s face. (See photo) Open the airway by performing head-tilt-chin-lift. Deliver air over 1 second. Ensure chest rise. If needed, reposition mask. Provide 2 ventilations over 1 second each after every 30 compressions. Provide rescue breathing if patient has pulse without breathing. 1 breath every 5-6 seconds. (10-12 breaths/min). Check for pulse every 2 minutes. If no pulse, start compressions and ventilations at rate of 30:2. 

Using a Bag-Valve-Mask. Provides positive pressure ventilation during CPR. Can be attached to oxygen source. Use only when 2 rescuers are present. Position yourself at patient’s head. Use E-C clamp technique. (see photo) Index finger and thumb form a C around top of mask. Other fingers of the same hand lift the jaw to form the E portion. Each breath should be delivered over 1 second. Watch for chest rise. If no chest rise, likely do not have tight seal. 2 ventilations every 30 compressions. If patient has pulse, but not breathing, provide one breath every 5-6 seconds. (10-12 breaths/min)

Jaw Thrust – Use if suspect neck or spinal cord injury. If suspect injury, DO NOT use head tilt – chin lift to open airway. This could further damage spinal cord. For jaw thrust, place hands on either side of patient’s head, with elbows resting on same surface. Put fingers of both hands under angle of patient’s lower jaw. Lift so that jaw slides forward. Use thumbs to push lower lip away.