Everyone is now seeking to understand the CPR mask type that a lay rescuer can use when performing mouth-to-mouth action (although it is not recommended). Others are surprised, and they wonder if a barrier rescue device equipped with an external defibrillator that works automatically can be hard to use. When you decide to get CPR certificate online, all knowledge acquired will be very crucial when choosing the right CPR technique and generally now rescue breathing is not recommended. Albeit let us look into the details of how a CPR mask works.
A CPR mask is given the name barrier device since the purpose of the equipment is to ensure the safety of the rescuer. It is very crucial to get CPR certificate online, especially rescuers, whose task is to save the lives of cardiac arrest victims who require instant CPR. The thing to understand is that the barrier devices do not make it more effective than the traditional mouth-to-mouth action.
A mask is not ideal to use when the victim is a family member or a partner unless there are health problems that are at consideration. For strangers, it is necessary to use a mask due to various reasons below.
Classification of CPR Masks
A CPR mask is a protective device that serves the purpose of guarding a rescuer against the exposure of contagious disease during personal contact with the body of a victim. Illnesses such as HIV and hepatitis viruses are in the blood and various fluids of the body. There is no way of knowing that the victims of cardiac arrest are free from any kind of infectious disease. To avoid the risk of contaminating yourself with unwanted viruses and bacteria, use a CPR mask as a barrier between your mouth and that of the victim, thus preventing the exchange of body fluids during mouth-to-mouth action. And the best course to take is to do hands-only CPR for obvious reasons as stated above.
Moving forward, the flat plastic mask should lay on the victim’s airways, namely, the mouth and nose. It fits well on the face allowing a rescuer to pass air with a hole as a medium at the center. The hole’s design is either one-way or filter valve that safeguards a rescuer varying with the kind of brand you are using to give CPR. The flat plastic barrier types of masks are portable — hence, they are more preferred by lay rescuers. Their design enables a rescuer to fold them and they can fit perfectly on keychains.
The kind of masks professionals use usually have a pear-like shape that sits over the nose and mouth of a victim. It sticks on the face enabling the rescuer to blow air through the one-way valve on top when giving mouth-to-mouth action to a victim. For the first time, the device may seem complicated. A low barrier is suitable for lay rescuers in the market due to its simplistic nature and portability. It is hard to master the skill to make seals with this type of CPR masks.
No Barrier or Barrier Dilemma
Many rescuers find themselves in a dilemma, not knowing exactly how to use a CPR mask or sometimes lacking the cover itself to perform CPR. There are various ways you can get help if you find yourself in such a situation. Calling an emergency service and asking the medical doctor to direct you on how to conduct the CPR is a solution. Most CPR instructors will request you to perform around 400 chest compressions before they guide you on how to administer the rescue breaths. Then you will be asked to give consent if you are requested to perform mouth-to-mouth action with or without a mask.
A rescuer has to be willing to do the rescue breaths with or without the barrier device because emergencies happen, and you should begin the chest compressions immediately as you call an emergency service line for further instructions. Waiting for a barrier device does not guarantee the life of the victim, so it is better to act at will and ensure that blood is circulating to the brain and heart of a victim.
Training is Crucial
It is essential to enroll for a CPR course online and obtain the required certification to be a professional rescuer. If you have access to an AED anywhere near you, whether it is at school, job, or home, you must train yourself on that equipment for better confidence and avoid panic attacks or freezing. With proper training, you can use any barrier device accordingly during any emergency. These types of equipment are comfortable to use and also safe for strangers and the people you love. There is no survival guarantee for the victim when you use a CPR face mask. Anything is possible, so do not hesitate to perform CPR because the barrier is not available at the particular moment. Take CPR courses from a reputable institution and get certified to perform first aid and CPR in emergency situations.