Choosing a Bag Valve Mask: Sizes, Material and Equipment
- 4 min reading time
When choosing a bag valve mask, four points matter most: the right size for adults, children or infants, the material (silicone for reprocessing or plastic for single use), the equipment with pressure-limiting valve, reservoir and masks, and standardised connectors. Keep the sizes that match the patients you treat.
Bag valve masks, also called manual resuscitators or resuscitation bags, are a standard part of emergency equipment in medical practices, hospitals, care facilities and emergency medical services. This article summarises the criteria relevant for purchasing. Guidance on use itself belongs in the manufacturer's instructions for use and in your team's training.
Sizes: adults, children and infants
Bag valve masks are offered in three basic sizes, which differ in bag volume and in the masks supplied. The following values are typical ranges; you will find the exact figures in each manufacturer's data sheet:
| Version | Typical bag volume | Masks in the set | Common equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adults | around 1,500 to 2,000 ml | Adult masks in several sizes | Patient valve, oxygen connection, reservoir |
| Children | around 500 to 700 ml | Paediatric masks | Often with pressure-limiting valve |
| Infants | around 200 to 300 ml | Infant and neonatal masks | Usually with pressure-limiting valve |
The manufacturer specifies which version is intended for which patient group. General practices usually need at least one adult bag, while paediatric practices, emergency departments and emergency medical services generally keep all three sizes.
Material: silicone or single-use plastic
The material determines service life, reprocessing and handling:
- Silicone: reusable and durable. Reprocessing follows the manufacturer's instructions and the requirements of your hygiene plan, for example based on the KRINKO recommendations. The manufacturer states the permitted number of reprocessing cycles.
- Single-use plastic, for example PVC: ready for immediate use, no reprocessing effort and no risk from incomplete reprocessing. The bag is disposed of after use.
- Latex-free: many current models are latex-free. If allergies are known in your team or among patients, check for the corresponding labelling.
For mobile emergency equipment, for example in an emergency case, single-use bags are often chosen. For stationary use with high frequency, reusable silicone bags can be economical, provided reprocessing is reliably organised.
Valves, connectors and accessories
Besides size and material, the equipment determines how flexibly a bag valve mask can be used:
- Pressure-limiting valve: limits the ventilation pressure and is especially common on paediatric and infant bags.
- Standard 15/22 mm connectors: allow combination with masks, filters and other accessories from different manufacturers.
- PEEP valve connection: available on many models, the valve itself is often sold separately.
- Oxygen connection and reservoir: reservoir bag or reservoir tube for oxygen supply. Matching cylinders and fittings can be found under oxygen systems and accessories.
- Masks: several sizes, transparent, with inflatable or soft cushion.
- Airway aids: supplementary items can be found in the ventilation and intubation category.
For first aiders without medical training, simple CPR masks are often provided, for example alongside an AED. Read more in our AED buying guide.
Also check the product documentation: CE marking under the Medical Device Regulation (EU) 2017/745, instructions for use in German, and information on storage conditions, reprocessing and expiry date. These documents make it easier to brief your team and to document in hygiene and quality management. If you equip several sites, it pays to choose uniform models so that masks, reservoirs and spare parts fit everywhere.
Checklist for purchasing and storage
- Required sizes for adults, children and infants defined
- Material chosen: silicone with a reprocessing concept, or single use
- Pressure-limiting valve present on paediatric and infant bags
- Masks in all required sizes included in the set or ordered separately
- Reservoir and oxygen tubing matching your existing oxygen supply
- Connectors compatible with filters, PEEP valve and existing accessories
- Storage defined, for example in a case or an emergency bag
- Regular checks for completeness, integrity and expiry dates scheduled
Sets in a transparent case bundle bag, masks and accessories and make checks easier. Further resuscitation supplies can be found under resuscitation and across our emergency supplies.
Related categories
Frequently asked questions
Which size do I need for children and infants?
Manufacturers offer dedicated paediatric and infant bags with smaller volumes and matching masks. The instructions for use state which patient group a version is intended for.
What is the pressure-limiting valve for?
It limits the ventilation pressure. This is why it is often fitted as standard on paediatric and infant bags.
Single-use or reusable: which makes more sense?
Single-use bags are ready for immediate use and need no reprocessing. Reusable silicone bags pay off mainly with frequent use and a reliably organised reprocessing workflow.
What does a bag valve mask set include?
Typically a bag, masks in several sizes, reservoir and oxygen tubing, often in a transparent case. The exact scope of delivery is stated in the product description.
Do masks and filters from other manufacturers fit?
Many bag valve masks use standardised 15/22 mm connectors, so accessories from different manufacturers can be combined. Still, check compatibility against the manufacturer's specifications.
Compare the bag valve masks at ShopMed24 now. Looking for a specific model or set? Use our product request. We deliver to Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
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