Will APAP function as a ventilator in an emergency?

mwink · Post by **mwink** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 3:18 pm

I have been reading about the coming worldwide bird flu pandemic. They say that Tamiflu (flu antiviral drug) surgical masks and ventilators will be in short supply. I was wondering if hospitals are all completely overloaded with patients whether APAP machines could be used in an emergency to keep members of my family alive. Is there a physician or other health care professional out there that has an opinion about this?

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 6:17 pm

No. Well maybe , if you use your foot on their chest to exhale. A plunger to the chest has been used with success also.

Irving · Post by **Irving** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 8:47 pm

I hear some make great doggie hair dryers also. Just unhook the humidifier or drying will take forever.

Sounds like something the 3 Stooges would do.

Nurse, begin ventilation . Certainly, EHHH which end do I hook the hose to. BONK. Just hook it up you idiot. ... Why you...BONK, BAM... Alright Already, Patient fills up with air and rises off bed. Moe pulls plug and patient crashes to floor, wakes up and runs out door.....Three blind mice ......

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): humidifier, hose

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sun Jun 05, 2005 12:18 am

mwink, I'm not a physician or health care person. Autopaps are not like hospital ventilators. Autopaps can't do the breathing for a person. All the autopap can do is deliver more pressure to keep a throat open if it starts to collapse, but the person has to do the actual inhaling and exhaling.