How to Use it in Any Healthcare Setting?

Table of Contents:

Introduction
What is an Ambu Bag?
Components of an Ambu Bag
How to Use an Ambu Bag?
How to Use an Ambu Bag with Oxygen for CPR?
Ambu Bag CPR: A Lifesaving Tool

Introduction

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a standard procedure for restoring a patient’s airway. The technique helps revive an individual who falls unconscious due to cardiac arrest, choking, or respiratory failure. Healthcare professionals use various methods to perform CPR on patients. One key procedure involves using Artificial Manual Breathing Unit (Ambu) bags, standard medical devices that deliver oxygen and ventilation to victims. CPR and Ambu bags work together to restore oxygen flow to the brain and vital organs. However, not everyone knows how to perform Ambu bag CPR. Let’s learn more about these bags and how to use them correctly.

What is an Ambu Bag?

An Ambu bag is a medical tool that lets air enter the lungs of patients who have stopped breathing or are struggling to breathe during emergencies. It is also known as a bag-valve-mask (BVM) device or manual resuscitator.

This CPR airbag is included in various first-aid and crisis-care kits. Only trained medical professionals can use these bags for treatment procedures. However, an untrained person may use the airbags to store oxygen in the patient’s lungs and save lives in emergencies.

A report from 115 studies shows a 15.2% survival to discharge rate after in-hospital CPR. These results clearly show the rising importance of performing CPR with Ambu bags. The advantage of using an Ambu bag is that it delivers oxygen more consistently than mouth-to-mouth procedures. The tool assists every person in maintaining more distance between themselves and the victim. This, in turn, can be beneficial depending on the environment and the person’s positioning.

The best part about the Ambu bag is that it is very easy to use. This also means the portable and lightweight tool requires minimal training for any individual. It can be used by professional healthcare providers and lay rescuers to help resuscitate patients. These bags are usually equipped with features like PEEP valves and adjustable oxygen reservoirs for basic airway management. These features enhance their utility in managing complex medical emergencies with precision and care.

What is a PEEP valve in Ambu Bags?

A Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) valve on an Ambu bag is a component that controls the pressure maintained in a patient’s lungs at the end of exhalation. This pressure is typically kept above atmospheric pressure at the end of each breath. It helps prevent the collapse of alveoli, or tiny air sacs in the lungs, thereby improving oxygenation in patients.

By keeping the alveoli open during the respiratory cycle, PEEP enhances oxygenation, prevents lung collapse, and optimizes oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange. This feature is crucial for managing patients with respiratory conditions, where maintaining adequate lung volume and function aids in recovery. In clinical settings, the PEEP valve can be adjusted to specific pressure levels based on the patient’s needs. This adjustment contributes to respiratory support and improved health outcomes for patients.

Components of an Ambu Bag

An Ambu bag includes several key components that facilitate manual ventilation and resuscitation in patients. Understanding these components is essential for operating the bag properly in emergencies. These components are:

Bag

The bag is the central part of an Ambu device. It is made of silicone and other flexible materials. Professionals squeeze the bag to deliver breaths to the patient. The bag acts as a flexible and collapsible reservoir, providing positive pressure ventilation to the patient’s lungs.

Mask

A face mask is placed over the patient’s nose and mouth to create a seal for adequate ventilation. It is also referred to as an adapter for an endotracheal tube. The mask covers the patient’s nose and mouth to ensure effective breath delivery and prevent air leakage.

Valve System

The valve system includes expiratory and inspiratory valves that control the direction of airflow in the patient. The inspiratory valve opens to allow air or oxygen to enter the bag during compression, while the expiratory valve directs exhaled air away from the patient to prevent rebreathing.

Peep Valve

Some Ambu models include a Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) valve to maintain a small amount of pressure in the patient’s airways and lungs at the end of exhalation. The PEEP valve improves oxygenation and helps prevent lung collapse.

Oxygen Reservoir

An oxygen reservoir is a capacity within or attached to Ambu bags. It stores oxygen for delivery during ventilation, ensuring consistent oxygen concentration.

Reservoir Bag

In some models, a reservoir bag is attached to the Ambu bag. These bags store additional oxygen, enabling a more consistent tidal volume during ventilation.

Connectors and Tubing

Connectors in Ambu bags allow direct connections to supplemental oxygen sources, endotracheal tubes, or other ventilation accessories, ensuring flexibility in providing respiratory support to patients.

How to Use an Ambu Bag?

The Ambu bag is used in emergencies like cardiac arrest or when the patient has trouble breathing because of asthma attacks or drug overdoses. An Ambu bag with oxygen assists in emergencies such as drowning and trauma cases. They are also used during anesthesia to assist with patient ventilation during surgery. Additionally, they are employed to transport patients when mechanical ventilators are unavailable. The simplicity and effectiveness of the CPR Ambu bag make it a key component in hospitals, ambulances, and other healthcare settings where quick intervention can save lives.

Apart from medical professionals, everyone must know how to use Ambu bags to help people in emergencies. These bags are beneficial in the following situations:

When the patient has stopped breathing
When a patient has inadequate breathing due to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, or anesthesia
During CPR in cases of cardiac arrest
In emergencies such as choking, drowning, or drug overdose
During patient transport within hospitals or in ambulances when mechanical ventilators are unavailable

Read More: How Long To Perform CPR?

How to Use Ambu Bag with Oxygen for CPR?

An Ambu bag connected to oxygen can help you perform CPR on patients during emergencies. However, it is crucial to know the correct procedure to revive the person in time. The steps include:

Step 1: Help the Patient Breathe

Check for other ways to help the person breathe. If you cannot revive the individual after multiple attempts, consider using an Ambu bag. Ensure that the person’s airway is clear of mucus and free from any foreign objects.

Step 2: Position the Patient Properly

Tilt the patient’s head slightly so their nose is pointing upward. To keep them in the correct position, place something under their shoulders or neck. A rolled-up towel or jumper is an effective option.

Step 3: Check the Functionalities of the Ambu Bag

Ensure that the Ambu bag with oxygen is properly sealed and connected. Attach the bag to the oxygen tubing and connect it to the tank regulator. Place the mask tightly over the patient’s nose and mouth.

Step 4: Begin the Ventilation Process

Learn how often do you squeeze Ambu bags before starting the ventilation process. Squeeze the bag firmly enough to raise the person’s chest. For children, squeeze the bag once every 2–3 seconds; for adults, squeeze it once every 5–6 seconds. Adjust the patient’s position and repeat the process if the individual does not respond.

Ambu Bag CPR: A Lifesaving Tool

An Ambu bag CPR is one of the best tools for emergency patients. These bags are available across all healthcare settings and can be used only by medical professionals. Citizens and other professionals can also perform in certain situations. If you are a healthcare professional, enroll in an ACLS certification to learn more about using Ambu bags and their associated benefits. Choose an organization that provides hands-on experience to help you gain confidence in performing CPR with Ambu bags.

References

Ambu Bags for CPR – What, Why, and How to do CPR with an Ambu Bag

Updated on: March 13, 2025