Airway

Gastric distention during BVM

When the abdomen balloons during bag-valve-mask ventilation, air is going into the stomach instead of the lungs. High airway pressure forces the esophagus open; bigger tidal volume or higher oxygen concentration will not fix that path.

Decrease ventilation pressure and deliver only enough volume for gentle chest rise. Slow the squeeze, improve the seal and airway position, and avoid stacking breaths that keep pressure high between ventilations.