title: Artificial ventilation for cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
abstract: The ability of 100 members of the nursing staff to administer artificial ventilation was tested on a manikin. Six techniques of artificial ventilation were used. A minimum minute volume of 6 L was chosen as the criterion for adequate ventilation. Eighty-eight per cent of nurses "passed" using mouth-to-mouth ventilation, 66% "passed" using mouth-to-face-mask, 55% "passed" using the RM-1 injector system, 52% "passed" using the Mistviva injector system, while very low "pass" rates of 25% and 15% were obtained with the Air-Viva and Mapleson B circuits, respectively. It was concluded that mouth-to-mouth technique was the best form of ventilatory support provided by the nursing staff tested in this trial. In general, the use of mask systems should be restricted to highly trained staff members who have demonstrated continuing proficiency.
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009740:Nursing Staff; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012151:Resuscitation