Mouth-to-mask: Rescue breathing, breaths per minute, rate, airway management, oxygen

Mouth-to-mask rescue breathing is a technique used in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to provide oxygen to an unresponsive patient. It involves the rescuer placing a mask over the patient’s mouth and nose, then providing air breaths into the mask. This technique is used when it is not possible or safe for the rescuer to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

• Breaths per minute: The rate of breaths per minute should be 10–12 breaths per minute, with each breath lasting 1 second. The rescuer should provide enough air to make the chest rise visibly with each breath.
• Airway management is important when performing mouth-to-mask rescue breathing. The rescuer should ensure that the head and neck are in a neutral position, with the chin slightly lifted and the jaw thrust forward, to open the airway as much as possible. If necessary, two fingers can be used to lift up on the bony part of the lower jaw (mandible) while pushing down on the forehead simultaneously.
• Oxygen can be provided during mouth-to-mask rescue breathing by attaching an oxygen source such as an oxygen cylinder or bag valve mask (BVM) device to a nonrebreather mask or other appropriate device placed over the patient’s face. Oxygen delivery should be set at 15 liters per minute; however, if no oxygen source is available, room air can still be used for rescue breathing without additional equipment.

• American Heart Association (2020). Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiac-arrest/cardiopulmonary-resuscitation--cpr
• National Health Service UK (2020). Mouth To Mask Rescue Breathing – Adult And Child CPR – First Aid Training – St John Ambulance UK Retrieved from https://www.sja.org.uk/get-trained/first-aid/adultandchildcpr/mouthtomaskrescuebreathing