Pocket mask
{{short description|Device used to safely deliver first aid rescue breaths}}
{{more footnotes|date=January 2019}}
{{infobox medical equipment
| name = Pocket mask
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| image = Beatmungsmaske von Laerdal.jpg
| caption = A pocket mask with carrying case and detached one-way valve
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| specialty = Emergency medicine
| intervention = Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
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A pocket mask, pocket face mask, or CPR mask is a device used to safely deliver rescue breaths during a cardiac arrest or respiratory arrest. The specific term "Pocket Mask" is the trademarked name for the product manufactured by Laerdal Medical AS. It is not to be confused with a bag valve mask (BVM).{{Cite journal |last=Szarpak |first=Lukasz |last2=Truszewski |first2=Zenon |last3=Madziala |first3=Marcin |last4=Evrin |first4=Togay |last5=Smereka |first5=Jacek |date=2016-09-01 |title=Comparison of Pocket Mask vs. bag valve mask ventilation in cardiopulmonary resuscitation |url=https://www.resuscitationjournal.com/article/S0300-9572(16)30208-8/abstract |journal=Resuscitation |language=English |volume=106 |pages=e27–e28 |doi=10.1016/j.resuscitation.2016.07.061 |issn=0300-9572|url-access=subscription }}
Purpose
A pocket mask is a small portable device used in the pre-hospital setting to provide adequate ventilation to a patient who is either in respiratory failure or cardiac arrest.{{Cite web |title=Pocket mask - Knowledge and References |url=https://taylorandfrancis.com/knowledge/Medicine_and_healthcare/Anesthesiology/Pocket_mask/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Taylor & Francis |language=en-US}} The pocket mask is designed to be placed over the face of the patient, thus creating a seal enclosing both the mouth and nose. Air is then administered to the patient by an emergency responder. The emergency responder exhales through a one-way filter valve, providing adequate ventilation to the patient. The emergency responder is capable of delivering up to 16% oxygen with his/her breath.{{Cite journal |date=2000-08-22 |title=Part 6: Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support |url=https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/circ.102.suppl_1.i-95 |journal=Circulation |volume=102 |issue=suppl_1 |pages=I–95 |doi=10.1161/circ.102.suppl_1.I-95}}
Modern pocket masks have either a built-in one-way valve or an attachable, disposable filter to protect the emergency responder from the patient's potentially infectious bodily substances, such as vomit or blood.{{cite web |url= http://www.lifesavers.org.uk/press_release/pdf/Pocket_Mask_Resuscitation.pdf |title= Pocket Mask Resuscitation |access-date= 2008-01-18 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110717132947/http://www.lifesavers.org.uk/press_release/pdf/Pocket_Mask_Resuscitation.pdf |archive-date= 2011-07-17 }}
Many masks also have a built-in oxygen intake tube, allowing for administration of 50-60% oxygen. Without being hooked up to an external line, exhaled air from the provider can still provide sufficient oxygen to live, up to 16%. Earth's atmosphere consists of approximately 21% oxygen.{{Cite web |title=Atmosphere - Earth’s atmosphere is so much more than the air we breathe |url=https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/atmosphere/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=education.nationalgeographic.org |language=en}}
Usage
While a pocket mask is not as efficient as a bag valve mask, it does have its advantages when only one rescuer is available.{{Cite web |title=Pocket Mask Ventilation |url=https://www.appropedia.org/Pocket_Mask_Ventilation |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Appropedia, the sustainability wiki |language=en}}As suggested by its name, the pocket mask benefits from a somewhat easier portability when compared to the bag valve mask. Also, in contrast to the bag valve mask, which requires two hands to operate (one to form a seal and the other to squeeze the bag), the pocket mask allows for both of the rescuer's hands to be on the patients head. This hand placement provides a superior seal on the patient's face, and allows the responder to perform a jaw thrust on patients who may have a spinal injury.
See also
- {{annotated link|Face shield}}
References
{{reflist}}
- Lifeguards Ireland, [http://www.lifeguardsireland.com/Pocket_Mask_Resuscitation.pdf Resuscitation using a pocket mask]
{{Breathing apparatus|medical}}
{{Emergency medicine}}