Oxygen mask

An oxygen mask is a medical device that delivers oxygen to a patient who has difficulty breathing or requires supplemental oxygen. It covers the nose and mouth (or just the nose in some cases) and is connected to an oxygen supply via tubing.

Types of Oxygen Masks:
Simple Oxygen Mask

Delivers 40–60% oxygen concentration.

No reservoir bag; oxygen flow rate: 5–10 L/min.

Used for short-term oxygen therapy.

Partial Rebreathing Mask

Has a reservoir bag to collect oxygen.

Delivers 50–70% oxygen at 6–10 L/min.

The bag should not fully deflate during inhalation.

Non-Rebreathing Mask (NRB)

Delivers the highest oxygen concentration (60–90%).

Has one-way valves to prevent exhaled air from mixing with inhaled oxygen.

Used in emergencies (e.g., severe hypoxia, carbon monoxide poisoning).

Venturi Mask

Provides precise oxygen levels (24–60%) using color-coded adapters.

Used for patients with COPD (to avoid oxygen toxicity).

Nasal Cannula (not a mask, but an alternative)

Delivers low-flow oxygen (1–6 L/min, 24–44% concentration).

Comfortable for long-term use.

When Are Oxygen Masks Used?
Medical emergencies (heart attack, stroke, severe asthma).

Surgery & anesthesia.

High-altitude conditions (aviation oxygen masks in airplanes).

Chronic respiratory diseases (COPD, pneumonia, COVID-19).

Oxygen Masks in Airplanes
Deploy automatically if cabin pressure drops.

Provide oxygen for 10–20 minutes until the plane descends to a safe altitude.