What is a bag valve mask (BVM)?

A bag valve mask (BVM), sometimes known by the proprietary name Ambu bag or generically as a manual resuscitator or "self-inflating bag", is a hand-held device commonly used to provide positive pressure ventilation to patients who are not breathing or not breathing adequately.

What is a two-person bag-valve-mask (BVM) ventilation?

Two-person bag-valve-mask (BVM) ventilation is used whenever possible. Bag-valve-mask ventilation can be done with one person or two, but two-person BVM ventilation is easier and more effective because a tight seal must be achieved and this usually requires 2 hands on the mask.

Is BVM ventilation effective?

Aspiration occurs, hypoxia worsens, and the patient is at higher risk of experiencing cardiac arrest. It is not widely appreciated that BVM ventilation is often ineffective.