Non resuscitator demand valve
units operate much like your
scuba regulator. Oxygen flows
only when the patient inhales,
so it minimizes waste, and
with a proper mask it can
deliver nearly 100 percent
oxygen. In addition, a rescuer
can inhale from a non resuscitator
demand valve unit and
ventilate a non breathing
patient with a high oxygen
concentration (the body only
consumes a small fraction
of the oxygen in each breath),Dive
accident first aids calls
for delivering the highest
oxygen concentration possible
for as long as possible, making
the non resuscitator demand
valve the best choice for
rescue Diver.
Continuous flow units release
oxygen continuously, so they're
more wasteful than non
resuscitator demand valve
units. Fixed continuous flow
units usually deliver six
or 10 liters per minute; adjustable
usually deliver up to 25 liters
per minute. With the proper
flow (15liters per minute
recommended) and a non rebreather
mask with reservoir bag, continuous
flow units can deliver more
than 90 percent oxygen, but
with low flow rates and/or
an improper mask, the concentration
may remain below 60 percent.
By using a pocket mask, you
can ventilate a non breathing
patient with partially oxygenated
air using a continuous flow
unit(more about pocket masks
and rescue breathing later).
Most non resuscitator demand
valve systems have multifunction
regulators that can be used
continuous flow so you dont
sacrifice this benefit.
