Which technique helps maintain a good seal when using a bag-mask device?

Which technique helps maintain a good seal when using a bag-mask device?

• A. E-C clamp technique
• B. Two-handed mask seal with thumbs
• C. Head tilt-chin-lift without jaw support
• D. Oropharyngeal airway insertion

Answer: (A)

Maintaining a good seal on a bag-mask device comes from how you grip the mask and support the airway. The E-C clamp technique uses a tight “C” grip with the thumb and index finger around the edge of the mask, pressing it firmly against the face, while the other fingers of that hand lift the jaw to keep the airway open. This combination creates a stable, airtight seal and lets you squeeze the bag effectively without losing the seal, which is crucial for delivering adequate breaths. It’s especially reliable for a single rescuer because the jaw support and mask seal stay in place with one hand while you ventilate with the other. A two-handed seal with thumbs can work, but it often requires both hands on the mask and may not provide the same integrated jaw lift and seal stability. A head-tilt–chin-lift without jaw support doesn’t reliably open the airway or maintain the seal, and inserting an oropharyngeal airway keeps the airway open but doesn’t guarantee a good mask seal.

Maintaining a good seal on a bag-mask device comes from how you grip the mask and support the airway. The E-C clamp technique uses a tight “C” grip with the thumb and index finger around the edge of the mask, pressing it firmly against the face, while the other fingers of that hand lift the jaw to keep the airway open. This combination creates a stable, airtight seal and lets you squeeze the bag effectively without losing the seal, which is crucial for delivering adequate breaths. It’s especially reliable for a single rescuer because the jaw support and mask seal stay in place with one hand while you ventilate with the other. A two-handed seal with thumbs can work, but it often requires both hands on the mask and may not provide the same integrated jaw lift and seal stability. A head-tilt–chin-lift without jaw support doesn’t reliably open the airway or maintain the seal, and inserting an oropharyngeal airway keeps the airway open but doesn’t guarantee a good mask seal.