Run Time: 4 minutes

Author: Dr. David Rosenberg

Educational Pearls:

• Preoxygenation provides plenty of oxygen to the patient so that he/she does not desaturate during RSI.
• Even if the patient is at 100% on spO₂ monitor, preoxygenation is necessary for continued saturation of hemoglobin and transport of oxygen to the rest of the body – respiration continues even though breathing stops.
• Air is approximately 20% oxygen – which means only 20% of the lung volume is oxygen.
• 5 minutes on a non-rebreather mask prior to RSI will get 90% of the lung volume to be oxygen – allowing for respiration to continue as normal during RSI even if it takes time.

References:  http://emcrit.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Preox-annals-article.pdf