Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, can be a life-saving action, but delivering rescue breaths introduces a risk of disease transmission between the person providing aid and the patient. This concern often causes hesitation in bystanders who might otherwise assist in an emergency. To mitigate this risk, barrier devices have been developed to protect the rescuer from direct contact with the patient’s mouth, nose, and bodily fluids. The CPR face shield is designed to make rescue breathing safer for the rescuer.
Defining the CPR Face Shield
A CPR face shield is a form of personal protective equipment (PPE) that functions as a physical barrier during mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. The shield is typically a thin, flexible, transparent sheet of plastic designed to cover the patient’s lower face. This barrier prevents the transfer of saliva, blood, or vomit, which may contain pathogens, from the patient to the rescuer during ventilation efforts.
The shield’s defining feature is a one-way valve or filter located in the center, which is placed directly over the patient’s mouth. This valve allows the rescuer’s breath to pass into the patient’s lungs while physically blocking air or fluid from flowing back toward the rescuer. These shields are highly portable, frequently folded into compact keychains or small pouches for easy carrying. They are a single-use, disposable item, providing a low-cost, readily available means of protection for lay rescuers.
Applying the Shield During Rescue Breathing
Using the face shield correctly ensures both rescuer protection and effective delivery of air. The first step involves retrieving the shield from its packaging and quickly unfolding the plastic sheet, often orienting it using a diagram or marking printed on the shield. The rescuer then places the shield over the patient’s face, ensuring the one-way valve or filter aligns precisely over the patient’s mouth. Correct alignment is necessary for air to pass through the protective mechanism.
Once positioned, the rescuer executes the standard head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver to open the airway while simultaneously securing the shield in place. The rescuer uses one hand to maintain the head tilt and the other to lift the chin, pinching the patient’s nose closed to prevent air from escaping. The rescuer then places their mouth over the valve or filter and delivers a breath, watching for the patient’s chest to rise and fall. Maintaining a tight seal around the barrier device is necessary to ensure the air enters the patient’s lungs.
CPR Shields Versus Pocket Masks
Both the face shield and the CPR pocket mask serve as barrier devices for rescue breathing, but they differ significantly in design and application. The face shield is a thin, flat plastic sheet, prioritizing portability and minimal cost, making it the preferred item for individuals to carry daily. The pocket mask, conversely, is a semi-rigid, dome-shaped device that fits over the patient’s mouth and nose, providing a more structured and reliable seal.
The pocket mask’s contoured shape allows for easier delivery of breaths because it naturally conforms to the facial structure, making a tight seal less technique-dependent than with the flat shield. Both devices incorporate a one-way valve, but the pocket mask often features a more substantial valve assembly and may include an inlet port for connecting supplemental oxygen, a feature absent on the basic face shield. Professional first responders and healthcare personnel prefer the pocket mask for its superior seal and oxygen delivery capabilities. The compact face shield remains a functional minimum-protection option for any lay person trained in CPR.