Q: What is an “Ambu bag”?
A: An Ambu bag is a medical tool used to force air into the lungs of patients who:
1.are not breathing; or
2.are not breathing adequately so still need assistance
Q: How does a Ambu Bag work?
A: With the mask pressed over the patient’s airway, air is forced into the lungs by squeezing the bag. The bag then refills itself with air when released, allowing it to return to its original shape. The bag can be squeezed out and re-inflated rapidly and repeatedly to resuscitate the patient and provide oxygen, even if the patient can’t breathe on their own.
Q: What does Ambu stand for?
A: The term “Ambu bag” comes from the acronym for “artificial manual breathing unit” and is used to refer to bag valve masks. The company that invented the Ambu bag was originally called Testa Laboratory and rebranded as Ambu in the 1980s.
Q: Can Ambu bag be used without oxygen?
A: Yes, the Ambu bag can be used without extra oxygen.
Q: What are Ambu bags used for?
A: A bag valve mask, abbreviated to BVM and 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.
Q: How do you Sterilize Ambu bags?
A:This BVM shown above is disposable and single-use only. Re-use will lead to increased risk of cross contamination, degradation of performance and/or device malfunction. For reusable one please refer to our silicone bag valve mask.
Q: How much oxygen does a BVM deliver?
A: The flow rate when using this device is 10 to 15 LPM (liters per minute). A non-rebreather mask can deliver an oxygen concentration of 90 percent or more. A BVM can deliver up to 100 percent oxygen to a breathing or non-breathing victim when attached to emergency oxygen.
Q: Do Ambu bags expire?
A: The bag valve mask resuscitator (Ambu Bag) doesn’t have a specific shelf life but we recommend that you should consider updating your BVM after 5+ years from its manufactured date. Life of any Ambu bag depends on its design, what materials it is made from, how it has been cleaned, and in what situations it has been used. Any Ambu bag being reused must be disassembled, thoroughly cleaned and sterilized, then reassembled and tested after each use.
Q:Who can use an Ambu bag?
A:An Ambu bag should be used only by trained medical personnel, including doctors, nurses, EMTs and paramedics. Serious complications from misuse of a BVM can occur; it must be used properly for sufficient respiration to be provided and to avoid injuries or complications from misdirection of air, etc.
Q:How do you use an Ambu bag with CPR?
A: Use an Ambu bag to provide two ventilations for every 30 chest compressions. The Ambu bag can be put in place as the first compressions begin.
Q:How do you use an Ambu bag with oxygen?
A:Most Ambu bags have a connection port for an oxygen tube which delivers pure oxygen from a cylinder, where the amount of oxygen being supplied can be controlled.