A non-rebreather mask is a special medical device that provides you with oxygen in emergencies. These masks help people who can still breathe on their own but need extra oxygen.
Non-rebreather masks are used to treat several conditions. Here’s what you need to know about how they can affect your health.
Partial Rebreather Mask vs. Non-Rebreather Mask
Like a non-rebreather mask, a partial rebreather also delivers oxygen. It covers both your nose and your face. It’s called a “partial” rebreather because it lets you breathe in some oxygen and some of your own air. One benefit of a partial rebreather is that you have a lower risk of suffocation.
The big difference between a partial rebreather mask and a non-rebreather mask is how much oxygen each device gives you:
- A partial rebreather delivers about 50%-70% oxygen.
- A non-rebreather delivers about 60%-90% oxygen.
A partial rebreather mask has a bag and two-way valves. These valves let you rebreathe a small amount of your own exhaled air along with oxygen from the bag. A non-rebreather mask has one-way valves, so air only comes out one way. This lets you breathe in almost all the oxygen from the bag.
How Do Non-Rebreather Masks Work?
A non-rebreather mask involves four important parts:
- The mask
- A reservoir bag
- Two to three one-way valves
- Tubes to connect the reservoir bag to an oxygen tank
Oxygen flows from the tank into the reservoir bag. A one-way valve connects the reservoir bag to the mask. When a person breathes in, oxygen moves from the bag into the mask.
One-way valves. When someone exhales, the first one-way valve prevents their breath from returning to the reservoir bag. Instead, the exhale pushes air through one or two additional one-way valves on the outside of the mask. These valves also prevent the person from breathing in air from the rest of the room.
Fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2). Non-rebreather masks are designed to deliver a lot of extra oxygen to your airway. The normal FIO2, or concentration of oxygen in the air, in any room is about 21%.
Non-rebreather masks provide you with 60%-90% FIO2. They do this by forming a seal around your nose and mouth. Combined with the one-way valves, this seal ensures you only breathe oxygen from the tank.
How do you use a non-rebreather mask?
A non-rebreather oxygen mask is used in a hospital or emergency room. A health care professional, such as a nurse, doctor, or respiratory therapist, will prep the device and put it on you.
Here’s how the process works:
- Your health care provider will set the correct oxygen flow rate on the device’s canister. Then, they will plug in the tubing and regulator.
- The doctor or nurse will place their thumb over the reservoir inlet inside the mask to inflate the bag.
- Once the bag is inflated, the mask can be placed on your face. The bag should face down, and the nose piece should cover the bridge of your nose.
- Your provider will put the head strap around your head and tighten it as needed.
What Do You Use a Non-Rebreather Mask For?
There are other ways to resolve breathing problems that are more convenient than non-rebreather masks. Non-rebreather masks are usually reserved for emergency situations when you need a lot of oxygen at once. Some of these emergencies include the following.
Traumatic injuries. Any serious injury to your chest or lungs may make it difficult for you to get enough oxygen. A non-rebreather mask can help keep you breathing while emergency actions are taken to stabilize your lungs.
Smoke inhalation. Breathing in smoke can seriously damage your lungs. One effect of smoke inhalation is swelling and inflammation of your airways. A non-rebreather mask helps provide enough oxygen to keep you breathing until the inflammation goes away.
Carbon monoxide poisoning. One of the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning is a lower blood capacity for oxygen. Using a non-rebreather mask with high-flow oxygen can help your body restore normal oxygen levels faster.
Cluster headaches. Acluster headache is an extremely painful condition that makes it difficult to function on a daily basis. Studies show that high-flow oxygen through a non-rebreather mask is one of the most immediate and effective ways to treat cluster headaches.
Chronic airway limitations. In rare cases, a non-rebreather mask may be used to help people with chronic airway limitations. A non-rebreather mask can help you recover if you have trouble getting enough oxygen regularly due to an ongoing medical condition.
Are Non-Rebreather Masks Safe?
Non-rebreather masks aren’t perfect. They are the best way to deliver high-flow oxygen quickly, but they have a major flaw.
Suffocation. Non-rebreather masks form a seal around your nose and mouth. You can only breathe while the mask is hooked up to an oxygen tank. You can’t get more air if the oxygen tank runs out. Anyone using a non-rebreather mask needs supervision to make sure they don’t suffocate in case the oxygen tank empties.
Risk of choking. You can choke if you vomit while wearing a non-rebreather mask. This is more likely if you’re sedated or unconscious.
How long can you use a non-rebreather mask?
A non-rebreather mask is a temporary, short-term fix. For instance, your doctor might suggest a non-rebreather mask in emergencies, or when you need a lot of oxygen fast. Once you’re stable, your health provider will likely take you off the device. It’s not like oxygen therapy, which can be used at home for a long time.
Alternatives to Non-Rebreather Masks
There are several other ways to get oxygen therapy for people who don’t need all the oxygen a non-rebreather mask provides. These carry fewer risks and include the following.
Nasal cannulas. A nasal cannula is a tube that runs into your nose. It delivers a small amount of oxygen consistently for a long period. Some people use a nasal cannula for months or years if they have lung damage or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Simple oxygen masks. Like nasal cannulas, a simple face mask provides a small amount of extra oxygen. These masks can be worn when a nasal cannula isn’t working or isn’t practical, such as while you’re trying to sleep. They are also more common for children who don’t like the feeling of tubes in their nose.
Partial rebreather masks. Partial rebreathers allow some air to be recycled instead of completely preventing you from rebreathing air. They look very similar to non-rebreather masks, but they use two-way instead of one-way valves. Partial rebreather masks provide very high concentrations of oxygen without the risk of suffocation.
Takeaways
A non-rebreather mask can be lifesaving. It gives you a lot of oxygen quickly and stops you from breathing in your exhaled air. But it should only be used for a short time. There are risks like suffocation and choking. A medical professional must watch you closely while you use this device.
Non-Rebreather Masks FAQs
What is the flow rate of non-rebreather masks?
A flow rate is how much oxygen you breathe in per minute. A non-rebreather mask has a flow rate of about 12-15 liters of oxygen per minute.
How much oxygen can a non-rebreather mask deliver?
Most studies have shown that a non-rebreather oxygen mask can deliver about 60%-90% oxygen. This depends on the flow rate, your breathing pattern, and how well the mask fits.
When to use nasal cannula vs. rebreather masks?
A nasal cannula is a good option if you need oxygen to treat a long-term health condition. It can be used at home. On the other hand, a non-rebreather mask is for emergencies when you need oxygen right away. It can only be used in a hospital or other medical setting.
