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Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is now being taught in schools and offered readily in even the most rural areas. Most people don’t have an issue doing chest compressions; however, when it came to mouth-to-mouth breathing, that was always going to be “somebody else’s job.” Beyond the uncomfortable idea of putting your lips against a stranger’s, there’s always a risk of that stranger coughing up fluids or vomiting while you’re performing the task. Fortunately, two things have made that less of a hindrance for people. First, in 2008, the American Heart Association approved Hands Only CPR (cpr.heart.org/en/cpr-courses-and-kits/hands-only-cpr) to increase involvement of bystanders who might be unwilling to provide rescue breathing. The Second Option is to use a CPR mask when performing rescue breathing.
Most shields or CPR masks are lightweight, but can be difficult to keep track of on scene. Most people found the pocket masks to be cumbersome, and they weren’t carried often by those who were trained in CPR. This perhaps led to the Hands Only CPR as a viable option that didn’t seem to alter outcomes. Many purists of CPR believe rescue breathing is still an important aspect of CPR. We looked at several options for those who want to pursue rescue breathing with a barrier between themselves and the victim.
This product provides additional protection for the rescuer by adding both a one-way valve and a barrier filter. A mouthpiece makes it easy to use. Instructions are printed on the face shield. This shield is latex-free and is a one-time-use product. There’s no expiration date on the face shield.
Dimensions: 2.5 by 3 inches
Weight: 0.4 Ounces
MSRP: $3
URL: www.mymedic.com
Pros:
Contains both one-way valve and filter
Cons:
May be difficult to use in inclement or windy weather
The latex-free Adult/Child CPR mask by WNL Products comes with a hard case, one pair of gloves, a one-way valve, and the mask. This can be used multiple times and comes with instructions on how to clean the product. The one-way valve, however, is disposable and only meant for one-time use. There’s no shelf life on the mask; however, the alcohol wipe typically dries out over time and may need to be replaced every few years.
Price: $9.95 on Amazon. Purchase Here.
Dimensions: 4.25 by 5.25 by 1.75 inches
Weight: 0.3 Pound
MSRP: $8
URL: www.wnlproducts.com
Pros:
Better sight line of chest expansion
More distance from patient
Fits in cargo pants pocket
Cons:
Placement on victim can take some getting used to
Bulky to wear on belt
No oxygen inlet
The Pocket Bag Valve Mask (PBVM) by Persys is offered in four iterations depending on needs or desires. This is a silicone-based, collapsible, and easily storable pocket bag valve mask. It has many advantages over a simple mask in that it not only includes an oxygen port, but can also deliver 500 to 600cc of air by squeezing the 1.6-liter bag. It’s also Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) compatible (PBVM-NM), for what that’s worth. The shelf life is reportedly five years, and this is a single-use product. The PBVM-G (olive) version includes 6½ feet of O2 tubing to be hooked up to a tank.
Dimensions: 2.75 by 5.25 inches
Weight: 17 Ounces
MSRP: PBVM-C: $46 / PBVM-G: $53
URL: persysmedical.com
Pros:
Better oxygen volume delivery
Can fit in most cargo pants pockets
Cons:
Size makes it harder to carry
More expensive than basic masks
May be difficult to use if untrained
The mask is latex-free and contains a one-way valve, making it easier to blow through. The instructions are printed on a card, not on the mask. The loops that secure the mask around the ears make this good for a more secure fit and use in inclement weather conditions. It’s recommended for both children and adults. This is a one-time-use product.
Price: $10.95 on Amazon. Purchase Here.
Dimensions: 2 by 2 inches
Weight: 0.48 Ounces
MSRP: $10
URL: darkangelmedical.com
Pros:
Keychain makes it readily available
Mask resembles surgical mask with ear loops
Easiest of these facial shields to blow through
Cons:
Mask is bound with tape and can be difficult to open quickly.
Instructions on a card, not the mask
This option is a low-cost, convenient, and effective barrier that reduces risk of droplet exposure. Instructions are clearly marked on the plastic shield. It has a 3M Filtrete hydrophobic filter that’s flush with the plastic barrier. It’s easy to blow through the filter. There’s nothing to secure the shield, so it needs to be held in place. This is a one-time-use product. There’s no expiration date; however, the shelf life is listed at a minimum of 10 years.
Price: $14.95 for a Pack of 20 on Amazon. Purchase Here.
Dimensions: 3.5 H by 2.75 W by 0.25 D inches
Weight: 0.2 Ounces
MSRP: $3 each / $15 for 20
URL: www.narescue.com
Pros:
Portability
Low cost
Cons:
Difficult to use in wet or windy environments
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Written by Dr. Dave Miller
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