Facemasks in the medical context are devices worn over the nose and mouth (or held by a healthcare provider over a patient’s face) to deliver supplemental oxygen, administer inhaled medications, or assist with breathing. Several types are used in cardiac and critical care settings, each designed for different purposes and oxygen delivery levels.
Simple facemasks deliver oxygen concentrations of around 35 to 50% and suit patients with mild to moderate oxygen needs who are awake and breathing independently. Non-rebreather masks have a one-way valve and a reservoir bag that can deliver up to 80 to 90% oxygen and are used when higher-flow oxygen is urgently needed, such as in acute cardiac emergency. Venturi masks deliver precise, fixed oxygen concentrations and are preferred for patients with COPD where controlled oxygen levels are important to avoid suppressing the respiratory drive.
For patients who need breathing assistance without intubation, non-invasive ventilation masks are used. CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) and BiPAP (bilevel positive airway pressure) masks fit tightly over the face and are connected to a ventilator circuit; they are commonly used in acute heart failure with pulmonary oedema to reduce the work of breathing and improve oxygenation without the need for an endotracheal tube.
In cardiac arrest resuscitation, a bag-valve-mask (BVM) device is used to deliver rescue breaths. The rescuer holds a mask over the patient’s face to create a seal, then squeezes a self-inflating bag to push air or supplemental oxygen into the lungs. Correct mask seal and head positioning are key skills in both basic and advanced life support training.
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