Product category:
Personal protective equipment (PPE), devices
News Release from: Laerdal Medical | Subject: Pocket Mask
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 22 July 2004
Emergency ventilation through a mask
Emergency ventilation during CPR - an alternative to mouth to mouth.
In the professional health care setting, a bag-valve-mask (BVM) device is usually on hand for emergency ventilation However, a BVM can be inadequate when used by an infrequent or untrained operator, and on some occasions, resuscitation equipment is delayed or simply not available
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 7 Dec 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Defibrillator equipment donated to community
Laerdal donates Heartstart training equipment to Marwell Zoo for new community responder scheme.
Fire and Rescue Service is given help
Laerdal Medical donates life-saving equipment to Essex Fire and Rescue Service's UKFSSART Team.
Studies have shown that many primary care staff will not willingly administer the most obvious alternative, mouth-to-mouth, due to the fear of contracting diseases such as HIV.
The Laerdal Pocket Mask offers a practical solution and peace of mind in all these circumstances.
Easier to use than the BVM, it is effective in the supply of high-flow oxygen, gives supreme 2-way protection, and is cost effective.
Further reading
Laerdal donates Heartstart defibrillators
In response to the current demand for HeartStart defibrillators, at the Safety and Health Expo 06, Laerdal will be exhibiting defibrillators to suit every first aid and professional need.
New defibrillator technology at Ambex
Laerdal introduces new defibrillator technology at Ambex.
As its name suggests, it is also extremely light and portable so can be carried with you at all times.
Contrary to belief, the risk of disease transmission during mouth-to-mouth is extremely low.
Several reports have indicated that the HIV virus levels are undetectable or low in the saliva of HIV infected persons and further that saliva contains inhibitor components that reduce its infective potential.
One survey (1) indicates that only 37 per cent of patients who needed emergency ventilation were ventilated within 1 minute, with 18 per cent left unventilated for at least 3 minutes.
On analysis, this was due to the absence of a BVM and the reluctance to perform mouth to mouth.
The Laerdal Pocket Mask is especially designed for use by health care professionals and first responders alike.
It combines a low resistance one-way valve with a disposable 3M Filtrete hydrophobic filter to help prevent the passage of liquids and secretions.
The distance to the patient allows the rescuer to check patient's mouth colour, secretions and chest movement.
An optional oxygen inlet facilitates delivery of supplemental oxygen during ventilation of a non-breathing patient or for inhalation by a spontaneously breathing patient.
The features and benefits of the Laerdal Pocket Mask are many.
These include: - Superior protection through a one-way valve and filter.
- Greater than 99 % viral and bacterial filter efficacy.
- Pre-inflated cuff for effective and good seal.
- Oxygen inlet version facilitates delivery of supplemental oxygen and includes head strap.
- Latex free.
- Can be used on adult, child and infant.
- Replaceable, disposable one-way valve and filter.
- Versatile and attractive packaging options.
Given their low cost, the ideal is for all patient areas to have easily accessible pocket masks.
For community staff Laerdal Pocket Masks can be carried in a briefcase/bag to be readily available for use.
They can also be wall mounted outside each main patient room in a ward, in treatment rooms and GP's surgeries as well as prominently located in hospital corridors, alongside wall mounted phones or emergency fire equipment.
• Laerdal Medical: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
