Pulmonary Ventilation in Manual Artificial Respiration

Abstract

Five methods of artificial respiration were studied: prone-pressure (Schafer), arm-lift back-pressure (Nielsen), arm-lift chest-pressure (Silvester), hip-roll prone-pressure, hip lift. 15 male and 11 female subjects were used. They were connected with a metabolism testing apparatus and artificial respiration was synchronously superimposed upon normal breathing. Two operators, 160 lbs. and 220 lbs., administered each method. The prone-pressure method gave approx. half the ventilation given by the other 4 methods. There was no statistically significant difference in pulmonary ventilation between the arm-lift back-pressure, arm-lift chest-pressure and hip-roll prone-pressure methods. Since the arm-lift back-pressure method (Nielsen) does not have the drawback of supine position as does the Silvester method, and since it is easier to learn and perform than the other 3 of the 4 methods, it is the method of choice.