Which of the following is considered artificial ventilation (positive pressure ventilation) methods?

• A. Mouth to Mouth
• B. Flow-Restricted Device
• C. Bag Valve Mask
• D. Nasal Cannula

Answer: (C)

Positive pressure ventilation means forcing air into the lungs using a device that creates a controlled rise in airway pressure. The bag-valve-mask is the classic tool for delivering artificial ventilation: you squeeze the bag to push breaths into the patient, and you can vary the breath rate and volume, often with an oxygen reservoir to deliver higher oxygen concentration. This setup explicitly provides breaths under positive pressure, which is the key idea behind PPV.

Mouth-to-mouth is a form of ventilation, but it isn’t delivered by a device that creates consistent positive airway pressure. Nasal cannula supplies oxygen but does not provide ventilation, just oxygenation. The flow-restricted device is a type of oxygen-powered device, but in many EMS contexts the bag-valve-mask is the clear, standard example of positive pressure ventilation.