Comparison of tidal volume of two different bag squeezing techniques in endotracheal intubation settings

Purpose: There is no recommended bag-squeezing technique for emergency medical providers to maintain correct tidal volume during mechanical ventilation. This study compared the tidal volume of two different bag-squeezing techniques during mechanical ventilation. Methods: The subjects were 38 paramedic students who were trained in airway management techniques. Two different bag-squeezing techniques were used with a bag valve mask on an intubated manikin: a conventional technique and a finger-marked, in which the bag is squeezed until the thumb and the middle finger come into contact. Hand size and grip strength were measured and analyzed statistically. Results: The mean tidal volumes for the finger-marked were significantly higher than those for the conventional technique (<TEX>542.6±35.92mL</TEX> versus <TEX>338.0±111.15 mL</TEX>, p<.001). There was a correlation between the two techniques (Pearson <TEX>x²=1.160</TEX>, p<.001). The subject's characteristics, including sex, hand size, and grip strength, showed no correlation with tidal volume. Conclusion: A finger-marked bag-squeezing technique provides adequate and correct tidal volumes during mechanical ventilation.