PADI RTO First Aid Student Manual

Demand inhalator valve Oxygen masks with a demand inhalator valve act like a scuba regulator, delivering 100 percent oxygen to the casualty ‘on demand’ – only when the person takes a breath. Therefore, these devices are used on casualties who are breathing normally. By only providing an oxygen flow when the casualty inhales, the oxygen supply is conserved, allowing a given supply to last longer than when using constant-flow masks. Manually triggered resuscitator valves Many manually triggered resuscitator valves (MTRV) may also function as a demand inhalator valve. For non- breathing, injured casualties (e.g. scuba divers) they provide a fast, relatively simple and effective means to resuscitate them rather than using mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-mask resuscitation which is more exhausting. On these units, a ventilation button is manually pushed by the rescuer to provide an injured, non-breathing casualty with a pressurised rescue breath of 100 percent oxygen. Bag-valve-mask A bag-valve-mask (BVM) consists of a facemask that covers the nose and mouth, and a large self-inflating bag with a series of one-way valves to provide positive pressure ventilations. Oxygen or air flows into the self-inflating bag, which may also have a reservoir bag like a non-rebreather mask. They can be attached to oxygen, thereby increasing the amount of oxygen provided with each positive pressure breath you provide to the casualty. The oxygen flow rate should be set to 15 LPM. With a reservoir bag, BVMs can provide 95-100% oxygen; without the reservoir bag, oxygen levels can drop to around 50%. Exhaled breath exits the mask via a one-way valve. BVMs are either disposable or can be cleaned and reused, therefore BVMs can be a cost- effective option to provide emergency oxygen. The masks are made of transparent material to allow detection of regurgitation. Bags for these systems come in three sizes - adult, paediatric and infant (paediatric and infant bags must include a ‘pop-off ’ pressure relief valve); adult bags should not be used on children as over-inflation of the lungs is likely to occur. After training, repeated practice is required to maintain the skill level. In Guideline 10.4 (Use of Oxygen in an Emergency), the ARC recommends that when bag- valve-mask oxygen resuscitation is used by trained but occasional operators, a minimum of two trained rescuers are required to provide ventilation for a non-breathing victim: one to manage the airway, mask and seal and the second to operate the bag. If you are the rescuer using the BVM, the best delivery method is to position yourself at the top of the casualty’s head so you can watch the chest rise and fall with each ventilation while you maintain an open airway and a proper seal; squeeze the resuscitation bag enough to see the casualty’s chest rise and fall, then release the bag. Slow, gentle ventilations minimise the risk of gastric inflation and regurgitation.

HLTAID007 - PROVIDE ADVANCED RESUSCITATION

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PADI RTO