04/28/2026
Mask seal with 1 thumb?!
Quick clarification on this clip:
Yes — this is on a mannequin, and mannequins are not the same as real patients. Real airway management includes sweat, blood, vomit, facial hair, poor positioning, difficult anatomy, movement, and stress.
This is not meant to replace proper BVM technique.
The point of the clip is that mask-handling details can sometimes help the cushion sit better on the face during training and in select situations.
For real patients, fundamentals still come first:
Open the airway.
Position the patient.
Pull the jaw/face into the mask — don’t just push the mask down.
Use two-person BVM ventilation whenever possible.
Use two hands on the mask when resources allow.
Monitor chest rise, compliance, EtCOâ‚‚, and patient response.
Simple tips can be helpful, but they do not replace good airway positioning, jaw thrust/head tilt-chin lift when appropriate, mask fit, training, critical thinking, and teamwork.
Train the fundamentals. Practice the technique. Keep it simple.
Dr. Jeff Beeson was a panelist during the - Emergency Medical Services resuscitation discussion at FDIC 2026 in Indianapolis.
