A non-rebreather mask is a special medical device that helps provide you with oxygen in emergencies. These masks help people who can still breathe on their own but need a lot of extra oxygen.
A non-rebreather mask involves four important parts:
• The mask
• A reservoir bag
• 2 to 3 one-way valves
• Tubes to connect the reservoir bag to an oxygen tank
Oxygen flows from the tank into the reservoir bag. A one-way valve connects the reservoir bag to the mask. When a person breathes in, oxygen moves from the bag into the mask.
One-way valves. When someone exhales, the first one-way valve prevents their breath from returning to the reservoir bag. Instead, the exhale pushes air through one or two additional one-way valves on the outside of the mask. These valves also prevent the person from breathing in air from the rest of the room.
Non-rebreather masks are designed to deliver a lot of extra oxygen to your airway. The normal fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2), or concentration of oxygen in the air, in any room is about 21%.
Non-rebreather masks provide you with 60% to 91% FIO2. To do this, they form a seal around your nose and mouth. This seal in combination with the one-way valves guarantees you only breathe the gas from the oxygen tank.
Uses for Non-Rebreather Masks
There are many ways to resolve breathing problems that are more convenient than non-rebreather masks. Non-rebreather masks are usually reserved for emergency situations when you need a lot of oxygen at once. Some of these emergencies include the following.
Traumatic injuries. Any serious injury to your chest or lungs may make it difficult for you to get enough oxygen. A non-rebreather mask can help keep you breathing while emergency actions are taken to stabilize your lungs.
Smoke inhalation. Breathing in smoke can seriously damage your lungs. One effect of smoke inhalation is swelling and inflammation of your airways. A non-rebreather mask helps provide enough oxygen to keep you breathing until the inflammation goes away.
Post time: May-25-2023