Abstract
This paper reviews the state of the art in Australia of manually operated, self-inflating bag resuscitators, including the Laerdal, Air Viva and Ambu; manually operated bags dependent upon an oxygen supply, including Mapleson B, C, E and F, the CIG Medishield Oxy-Saver and modified Oxy-Viva Resuscitator 3, and the Komesaroff Oxy-Resuscitator RD85; oxygen-powered resuscitators, including the Oxy-Viva Resuscitator 3 with Demand and RM2 Valves, and the Oxylife FM85; and portable ventilators, including the Drager Oxylog, and Ohmeda Logic 07.
Specific comment is made to the effect that the design of the resuscitator is often less important than the knowledge and ability of the operator in using the equipment to achieve adequate lung ventilation.
The simplest, cheapest, most useful resuscitators are the manually operated self-inflating bag assemblies. With special training, use of more complex equipment can be justified in some circumstances. The more complex the equipment, the greater the risk of inappropriate use, and the greater the risk of equipment malfunction unless a regular maintenance program is followed.