| In part one of the series we talked about the | | | | bag. The bag is squeezed and the air in the bag is |
| chances of catching a disease from CPR. Now, | | | | pushed into the patient's lungs. The bag is also |
| we will focus on how to decrease your chances | | | | hooked up to oxygen, making it the safest and |
| even further! | | | | most effective way to deliver breaths during CPR. |
| In the last article we talked about 3 different | | | | You keep an arm's length from "the goo," and will |
| types of personal protective equipment (PPE): | | | | not place your mouth over the patient's mouth. |
| - Disposable Gloves | | | | Pocket masks are not as effective as the BVM, |
| - Safety Glasses | | | | but they are portable. The masks are placed over |
| - CPR Barrier Devices | | | | the patient's face and they have a one way valve |
| We are going to focus on CPR barrier devices. | | | | so that air can pass through to the patient's lungs, |
| These devices will protect you from "the goo." If | | | | but "goo" cannot come back through the mask to |
| you read the article "What CPR is Really Like," | | | | your mouth. Pocket masks are popular in office |
| you already know that real CPR is different than | | | | first aid kits. I have one in my truck, but they are |
| you will learn about in many classes. It is not neat | | | | still too bulky for carrying around on a daily basis. |
| and clean like the classroom setting. Many times a | | | | Keychain masks are the most portable CPR |
| person will have blood or vomit in their mouth and | | | | barrier devices available. They consist of a one |
| you will be happy that you have a barrier device. | | | | way valve fixed into the center of a piece of |
| There are 3 types of CPR barrier devices that | | | | plastic. The plastic will fit over the patient's face, |
| you should know about: | | | | some masks will fit around the ears as well. You |
| - Bag Valve Masks (BVMs) | | | | keep your keys with you at all times, right? If |
| - Pocket Masks | | | | that's the case, you will never be unprotected in |
| - Keychain Masks | | | | the case that you need to perform CPR. |
| Bag valve masks are what you see on TV shows | | | | Barrier devices are the best way to protect |
| like ER. It is a mask that is placed over an | | | | yourself from disease. Make sure you choose the |
| unconscious person's face that is attached to a | | | | best one for your situation! |