Safety and Efficacy of a Novel Facemask for Positive Pressure Ventilation

Positive pressure ventilation can be life saving for patients who are hypoxic, hypercapneic or apneic. Manual ventilation with a facemask is a skill that is routinely required for emergency medical technicians, respiratory therapists, nurses and physicians. Although mask ventilation skills are routinely taught, even the most skilled and experienced anesthesiologists struggle to effectively mask-ventilate.

The effective use of a standard mask requires the simultaneous establishment of a seal between the mask and face and the lifting of the jaw. The preferred grip is referred to as the C&E technique. The C&E technique requires the index finger and thumb to form a "C" and push down on the mask to establish a seal between the mask and face. The lateral three fingers form the "E" and wrap under the jaw to provide lift. The grip required to establish the seal and jaw lift simultaneously is awkward and difficult to teach. The basic design of the standard facemask has not changed in approximately 100 years.

This study will evaluate a new mask design, Warters Mask, is based on a novel design that allows a far more ergonomic grip. The C&E technique is replaced by a more natural grip. With the Warters Mask, downward pressure with the palm of the hand centered on the mask provides the seal between the face and the mask. The other four fingers align under the jaw to provide lift.