How should rescuers position themselves when delivering ventilations with a BVM?

Positioning at the patient’s head is essential when delivering ventilations with a Bag-Valve-Mask (BVM) because it allows the rescuer to maintain a tight seal over the patient’s mouth and nose. This seal is critical to ensuring that air effectively enters the lungs rather than escaping into the environment. By being at the head, the rescuer can also easily observe the patient’s chest rise, which indicates proper ventilation. Furthermore, this position enables immediate adjustments to the mask and ventilation technique as needed, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the resuscitation effort. Proper hand positioning at this location is vital; one hand typically holds the mask in place while the other squeezes the bag to deliver breaths. This technique maximizes the efficacy of the ventilations, directly impacting patient outcomes.