A pocket mask, often called a CPR mask, is a portable barrier device designed to facilitate rescue breathing during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while protecting the rescuer. This device typically consists of a clear plastic face piece and a one-way valve. The valve allows the rescuer’s breath to enter the victim’s lungs but prevents the victim’s exhaled air or bodily fluids from reaching the rescuer, significantly lowering the risk of pathogen transmission. The transparent material also allows the rescuer to observe the victim’s lip color and check for any visible obstructions. Using a pocket mask enables the delivery of more effective ventilation than mouth-to-mouth alone by improving the seal and air volume.
Preparing the Victim and Equipment
Before applying the mask, the rescuer must ensure the scene is safe and the victim is lying supine on a firm, flat surface. The victim’s responsiveness and breathing status must be quickly assessed, and emergency medical services should be activated immediately if they are unresponsive and not breathing normally. Ensure the one-way valve is securely attached to the mask body before use. The victim’s airway must be opened before the mask is placed using the head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver. This technique involves placing one hand on the forehead and two fingers of the other hand under the bony part of the chin, gently tilting the head backward and lifting the chin forward.
The pocket mask is positioned over the victim’s face, ensuring the pointed end is over the bridge of the nose and the base covers the lower lip and chin. This alignment establishes the foundation for an airtight seal across both the nose and mouth. Proper positioning ensures the subsequent hand placement can effectively hold the mask while maintaining the open airway.
Achieving a Secure Seal and Delivering Breaths
A secure seal and open airway must be maintained concurrently using the “E-C clamp” technique. The rescuer should kneel at the victim’s head to gain optimal leverage. The thumb and index finger of the hand closest to the top of the victim’s head form a “C” shape, pressing down on the edges of the mask to create the seal. The remaining three fingers form an “E” shape, hooking under the bony angle of the victim’s jaw. These “E” fingers lift the jaw upward into the mask while maintaining the head-tilt, keeping the airway open.
To deliver a breath, the rescuer places their mouth over the one-way valve and exhales steadily over approximately one second. The goal is to provide just enough air volume to make the victim’s chest visibly rise. Watching for this visible chest rise confirms that the air is successfully entering the lungs. After the chest rises, the rescuer should remove their mouth to allow the victim to passively exhale before delivering the next ventilation, following established CPR ratios.
Safety Measures and Troubleshooting
After the emergency concludes, the mask should be properly cleaned and disinfected if it is a reusable model. If the mask is single-use, it must be disposed of according to biohazard protocols.
If the first attempt to ventilate the victim fails and the chest does not rise, the rescuer must quickly troubleshoot the issue. The most common reasons for failed ventilation are an improper seal or an insufficiently opened airway. The first corrective action is to slightly reposition the victim’s head using the head-tilt/chin-lift and adjust the mask to improve the E-C clamp seal. If repositioning does not result in chest rise on the second attempt, the rescuer should proceed with the appropriate foreign-body airway obstruction maneuvers before attempting further ventilations.