Bag Valve Mask (BVM)

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Kunle Emmanuel
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Bag Valve Mask (BVM)

Unread post by Kunle Emmanuel »

A bag valve mask (BVM) is a device equipped with a face mask and a self-refilling compartment or bag that a healthcare provider uses to provide artificial ventilation. This hand-held emergency medical device is designed to deliver air directly from the atmosphere or pure oxygen from a supplemental system that supplies oxygen. The bag valve mask is sometimes called a resuscitator or an "Ambu® bag" and can be used not only on patients who are in respiratory arrest, but also on those who are suffering respiratory failure.
Respiratory arrest is the complete cessation of spontaneous breathing; respiratory failure refers to breathing that are not adequate to continue supporting life.

These makes are made in sizes for infants, children, and adults.

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Kunle Emmanuel
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Re: Bag Valve Mask (BVM)

Unread post by Kunle Emmanuel »

Bag-valve-mask (BVM) ventilation is an essential emergency skill (see the video below). This basic airway management technique allows for oxygenation and ventilation of patients until a more definitive airway can be established and in cases where endotracheal intubation or other definitive control of the airway is not possible. For the emergency medical technician, basic BVM ventilation is most often the only option for airway management



BVM ventilation requires a good seal and a patent airway. Practice with this important skill increases the clinician’s ability to provide effective ventilation. Adjuncts such as oral and nasal airways can aid with ventilation by relieving physiologic obstruction and by opening up the hypopharynx.
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Re: Bag Valve Mask (BVM)

Unread post by Kunle Emmanuel »

Before the use of bag valve mask (BVM) the airway has to be assessed as clear. If it is not clear the patient should be rolled onto their side and using suction (while retracting from the mouth) or sweeping the oropharynx with a finger the debris should be removed in order to stop aspiration - magills forceps can also be concidered. BVM is contraindicated in complete upper airway obstruction.


The BVM device allows for oxygenation and ventilation of patients until a more definitive airway can be established in those who are breathing inadequately or not breathing (respiratory failure or arrest). It provides positive pressure ventilation – forcing the airway to open to generate inspiratory flow, or a breath - which can be delivered with or without supplemental oxygen.

Masks come in different sizes appropriate for newborn, infant, child and adult. Selecting an appropriate size mask will allow a good seal to be made using the ‘EC’ grip to hold it in place on the patient resulting in effective ventilation. The ‘EC’ grip allows the head tilt chin lift and/or jaw thrust maneuver to be maintained, keeping the airway open.

Bag valve mask can be used in combination with an oropharyngeal airway. Endotracheal tube and laryngeal mask airways require the mask portion of the BVM to be removed in order to continue effective ventilation. During CPR and adult should receive 2 breathes to every 30 compressions done (30:2) and a child should receive 2 breathes to every 15 compressions done (15:2).
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