Manual Resuscitation Bag

Definition
A resuscitation bag is a hollow, football shaped device used to manually push air into the lungs to assist the child in taking breaths.

 

Resuscitation bags for home use are self inflating, and:

Refill automatically with air or oxygen after being squeezed. Remains inflated between squeezes. Delivers positive pressure ventilation without using oxygen.

Four basic parts:

Nonrebreathing valve directs flow of gas to the child when the bag is squeezed and away from the child with exhalation. Bag automatically reinflates after each compression. Adapter allows the bag to be attached to a face mask or tracheostomy. Reservoir is a hollow tube or additional bag attached to the end of the bag to increase the concentration of oxygen.

There are disposable and non-disposable bags of various sizes.  Bagging can be used with or without supplemental oxygen.

 

• The resuscitation bag is used:
  • during emergencies,
  • to give larger breaths than the child can take,
  • when disconnected from the ventilator during  circuit changes or problems,
  • after suctioning.
• A resuscitation bag and mask must accompany the child with a tracheostomy at all times.
• Try to match the child’s breathing efforts and rate.
• Give a breath that is big enough to make the chest rise, but not too big.