What is an Ambu-bag?

A standard disposable AMBU-bag

An Ambu-bag is a bag connected to a mask and is used to breathe for a patient when the patient is not breathing on his own.  The mask is placed over the patient's face and the bag is squeezed to provide a breath.

Ambu stands for Adult Bad Mask Unit.  Other names include positive pressure ventilation or bag valve mask.  When you are using the bag you are said to be bagging.

These devices are on every crash cart. (to lean what a crash cart is click here).  They are also in many patient rooms where a patient might stop breathing.  They are needed when a patient's breathing is inefficient to blow off CO2 or if the patient's lungs are inefficient at getting oxygen from the air to tissues of the body.  They are also used during some surgical procedures during short operations.

The bags are usually connected to flow meters with oxygen tubing, and most deliver 75 to 100 percent oxygen.  In hospitals these bags are used instead of doing mouth to mouth respirations.

The AMBU bag is actually one brand, although the name has become rather generic.  The original bag was designed in 1953 by a German doctor.  Stay tuned, because starting in 2013 I will publish the history of artificial respiration.  You can get a sneak peak here.

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