In bag-valve-mask (BVM) ventilation, which of the following is a correct emphasis for effective ventilation?

In bag-valve-mask (BVM) ventilation, which of the following is a correct emphasis for effective ventilation?

• A. Good seal over the victim's mouth
• B. Ventilate every 5 seconds
• C. Steady, slow squeezes
• D. Place the mask over the nose

Answer: (A)

Establishing a tight, leak-free seal around the mouth and nose is the most important factor in effective bag-valve-mask ventilation. When the mask fits snugly, almost all of the air you deliver with each squeeze goes into the lungs, producing visible chest rise and providing an adequate tidal volume. A poor seal allows air to escape around the edges, which means breaths are ineffective, chest rise may be minimal or absent, and you can end up delivering gastric air instead of lung air. To achieve that seal, use the appropriate mask size and the proper technique (often the two-handed seal, sometimes called a C-E grip) to press the mask firmly onto the face while lifting the jaw to maintain a contoured seal. Ensure the mask covers both the nose and mouth and that the head position supports a good airway. While breathing rate and squeezing force matter—breaths should be delivered with controlled, appropriate-volume squeezes—the seal is the foundation of effective ventilation. Placing the mask over only the nose would fail to seal the mouth, making ventilation ineffective regardless of rate or squeeze technique.

Establishing a tight, leak-free seal around the mouth and nose is the most important factor in effective bag-valve-mask ventilation. When the mask fits snugly, almost all of the air you deliver with each squeeze goes into the lungs, producing visible chest rise and providing an adequate tidal volume. A poor seal allows air to escape around the edges, which means breaths are ineffective, chest rise may be minimal or absent, and you can end up delivering gastric air instead of lung air.

To achieve that seal, use the appropriate mask size and the proper technique (often the two-handed seal, sometimes called a C-E grip) to press the mask firmly onto the face while lifting the jaw to maintain a contoured seal. Ensure the mask covers both the nose and mouth and that the head position supports a good airway. While breathing rate and squeezing force matter—breaths should be delivered with controlled, appropriate-volume squeezes—the seal is the foundation of effective ventilation.

Placing the mask over only the nose would fail to seal the mouth, making ventilation ineffective regardless of rate or squeeze technique.