Pocket mask
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A pocket mask, or pocket face mask or CPR mask, is a device used to safely deliver rescue breaths during a cardiac arrest or respiratory arrest.
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Design
The pocket mask is a small device that can be carried on one's person. Air is administered to the patient when the emergency responder exhales through a one-way filter valve. 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.[1]
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.
Usage
While a pocket mask is not as efficient as a bag valve mask, it does have advantages, besides portability, when only one rescuer is available. Because the bag valve mask 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 allows the responder to perform a jaw thrust on patient's suspected of a spinal injury.
