Bag

Bag Valve Mask

A Bag Valve Mask (BVM), often known as an Ambu bag or self-inflating bag, is a hand-held device commonly used to provide positive pressure ventilation to patients who are not breathing or not breathing adequately. The device is a required part of resuscitation kits for trained professionals in out-of-hospital settings (such as Emergency Medical Technicians) and is also frequently used in hospitals as part of standard equipment found on a crash cart, resuscitation bag, or trauma bag.

Design and Operation

The Bag Valve Mask consists of a flexible bag made of plastic and a one-way valve attached to a face mask. The device is squeezed or compressed, forcing air through the one-way valve and into the patient's lungs. The bag then self-inflates, drawing in ambient air or oxygen from a tank, allowing for repeated ventilations.

Usage

The Bag Valve Mask is used in emergency situations where the patient's breathing is insufficient (respiratory failure) or has stopped completely (cardiac arrest). It is also used during anesthesia for surgery or during procedures that require sedation.

Training and Skills

Proper use of a Bag Valve Mask requires considerable training and practice. The user must be able to recognize the signs of inadequate breathing, correctly position the mask on the patient's face, and provide the appropriate volume and rate of ventilations.

See Also

• Resuscitation
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Emergency medical services
• Mechanical ventilation