You respond to a call light and find Mr. Henderson slumped in his wheelchair, unresponsive and not breathing. You know you need to start CPR immediately, but effective chest compressions alone aren’t enough—he needs oxygen. This is where knowing how to properly ventilate a resident becomes a life-saving skill.
What is Ventilate?
To ventilate means to provide breaths for a resident who is not breathing adequately on their own. As a CNA, this typically involves using a manual resuscitation bag (often called an Ambu bag) or a pocket mask during an emergency like cardiac arrest or respiratory arrest. You squeeze the bag to push air through the mask and into the resident’s lungs, mimicking the process of inhalation to deliver vital oxygen to the brain and organs.
Why Ventilate Matters in Your Daily Care
Oxygen is the most critical nutrient for the brain; permanent damage can occur within minutes without it. While chest compressions keep blood moving, ventilation is what puts the oxygen into that blood. If you don’t ventilate effectively, your compressions won’t save the brain. Your ability to maintain a good seal and deliver proper breaths is the bridge that keeps the resident alive until the nurse or paramedics take over.
What You’ll See During Your Shift
You will only perform this during critical emergencies. You will encounter the equipment during your quarterly emergency drills or skills competency checks. The resident will be unresponsive, without a pulse, or gasping ineffectively (agonal breathing).
“I’m starting CPR. His airway is open. I have a good seal with the mask and I’m ventilating him with the bag. Please confirm the Code Blue team has been paged and bring the crash cart!”
Common Pitfall & Pro Tip
⚠️ Pitfall: Failing to get a tight seal on the face mask. Air will escape out the sides (often making a squeaking sound) instead of entering the lungs, and the chest won’t rise. This is the most common reason students fail the CPR skill test.
Pro Tip: Use the “C-E” grip technique. Use your thumb and index finger to make a “C” shape pressing the mask against the face, while your remaining three fingers form an “E” along the jawbone to pull the jaw upward. This opens the airway and seals the mask simultaneously.
Memory Aid for Ventilate
Think “C-E to See the Rise”: Use the C-E hand grip to hold the mask so you can see the chest rise.
This reminds you of the hand position and the visual confirmation you need to look for every time you squeeze the bag.
State Test Connection
This is a critical component of the Clinical Skills Exam for CPR and Airway Obstruction. You will be tested on your ability to open the airway (head tilt-chin lift), seal the mask, and deliver breaths that make the chest rise visibly during the manikin scenario.
Related Care Concepts
Ventilating is directly connected to CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and the Heimlich Maneuver (if the arrest was caused by choking). It also relates to Artificial Airways (like oral or nasal pharyngeal airways) which the nurse may insert to make ventilation easier, and Oxygen Safety regarding the use of portable oxygen tanks attached to the resuscitation bag.
Quick Reference
✓ Key steps: Open airway (head tilt-chin lift), seal mask (C-E grip), squeeze bag, watch for chest rise ✓ When to report: Immediately in any arrest or respiratory emergency situation ✓ Care reminders: • Use barrier devices (pocket mask) if Ambu bag isn’t immediately available • Give 2 breaths after every 30 compressions (30:2 ratio) • Re-check the seal if you hear air leaking or don’t see the chest rise • Stop if the resident begins breathing on their own
Bottom line: When a resident stops breathing, your hands are their lifeline. Mastering the skill to ventilate ensures you are doing everything possible to protect their brain and heart during those critical first minutes.