A pocket mask, often called a CPR mask or resuscitation mask, is a small, portable barrier device used to safely deliver rescue breaths during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This transparent, dome-shaped facepiece covers both the victim’s mouth and nose. Its primary function is to create a physical separation, significantly reducing the risk of cross-contamination from bodily fluids like saliva or vomit. The mask’s transparency allows the rescuer to monitor the victim’s mouth and nose for secretions or airway obstruction. It also facilitates the effective delivery of the rescuer’s exhaled air, which contains approximately 16% oxygen, to the victim’s lungs.
Preparing the Mask and Victim
Before delivering rescue breaths, ensure the mask is prepared and the victim is properly positioned. The one-way valve must be securely attached to the mask’s port. This valve directs the rescuer’s breath into the victim while blocking the backflow of the victim’s air and fluids, maintaining the safety barrier function.
The rescuer should position themselves at the victim’s head, which provides the best leverage for controlling the mask and the airway. Next, the mask is oriented on the face with the narrow, pointed end placed over the bridge of the nose. The wider, curved end should rest in the space between the lower lip and the chin, ensuring the mask covers both the mouth and nose completely to achieve an airtight seal.
The victim’s airway must be opened before the mask is sealed to ensure the delivered air can reach the lungs. For victims without any suspected head or neck trauma, the standard approach is the head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver. This involves placing one hand on the forehead to tilt the head back gently, while the fingers of the other hand lift the chin forward, effectively moving the tongue away from the back of the throat.
If there is suspicion of a spinal injury—such as from a fall or vehicle accident—the jaw thrust maneuver is performed instead. This technique opens the airway by lifting the angle of the lower jaw forward without extending the neck, minimizing movement of the cervical spine. An obstructed airway prevents ventilation, regardless of how well the mask is sealed to the face.
Step-by-Step Resuscitation Technique
With the airway open and the mask correctly positioned, the next action is to secure a tight seal using a specialized hand placement called the E-C clamp technique. This maneuver requires the rescuer to use the thumb and index finger of one hand to form a “C” shape over the rim of the mask near the valve. The pressure exerted by the “C” holds the mask firmly against the face, preventing air leaks during the breath delivery.
The remaining three fingers of the same hand form an “E” shape, placed along the bony margin of the victim’s jawline near the ear. These fingers lift the jaw upward and forward, maintaining the open airway created by the head-tilt or jaw-thrust. This two-part grip—the “C” for the seal and the “E” for the lift—is performed simultaneously for successful ventilation.
Once the E-C clamp provides a secure, leak-proof seal, the rescuer delivers a rescue breath by exhaling into the one-way valve. Each breath should be delivered slowly and steadily over approximately one second. The goal is not to deliver a large, forceful breath, but just enough volume to cause a visible, gentle rise of the victim’s chest. Observing this chest rise confirms that the air has successfully entered the lungs, indicating an open airway and a tight seal.
The rescuer should then remove their mouth from the valve, allowing the victim to passively exhale, while maintaining the E-C clamp and the open airway position. If the victim has a pulse but is not breathing, rescue breathing for an adult should continue at a steady rate of one breath every five to six seconds. This cadence translates to about 10 to 12 breaths every minute.
If the first rescue breath does not result in a visible chest rise, the rescuer must immediately troubleshoot the issue before attempting the second breath. The most common cause for failed ventilation is an inadequate seal or an obstructed airway. The rescuer should quickly reposition the victim’s head and neck to better open the airway, while also adjusting the mask placement and the E-C clamp to ensure a tighter seal. A second breath is then attempted, and if successful, the rescue breathing sequence continues at the prescribed rate.
Post-Use Care and Safety
Once the resuscitation sequence is concluded, proper care of the pocket mask is necessary for infection control. The mask body itself is typically made of medical-grade thermoplastic and can be cleaned and reused. However, the one-way valve and any associated filters are considered single-use components.
The one-way valve and filter must be detached from the mask body and discarded immediately following use, as they are contaminated with the victim’s respiratory secretions. These components are disposable to ensure the integrity of the infection barrier. The remaining mask body should then be cleaned and disinfected according to the manufacturer’s instructions, typically involving soaking in a specified disinfectant solution and air drying.
After cleaning, the reusable mask should be stored in its original compact case to protect it from damage and environmental contaminants. Periodic inspection of the mask body for cracks, tears, or material degradation is recommended to ensure its readiness for future emergency use.