This Standard specifies minimum performance and safety requirements for ventilatory resuscitators intended for use with humans of all age groups. It specifies the performance of operator-powered and gas-powered ventilatory resuscitators which are portable and intended for use in emergency situations to provide lung ventilation to humans whose breathing is inadequate. Requirements for partial rebreathing and circle systems are also included. For gas-powered resuscitators, gas supply requirements are included. Requirements are included for suction systems which may be supplied with the resuscitator. Resuscitators for infants and children are designated according to body mass range and approximate age equivalent. Automatic pressure-cycled gas-powered resuscitators are not dealt with in the Standard because serious under-ventilation is likely if the patient has a high airway resistance or a low compliance of the lungs or chest wall (or both). Such resuscitators are also not suitable for use during external cardiac compression. Electrically powered resuscitators, devices which are designed only to deliver gases to a patient breathing adequately and devices which are intended to assist or provide for the ventilation of a patient for an extended period of time are also not covered by this Standard. Appendix A details test methods, while Appendix B provides tables of resistances and compliances required to set up the test lung.NOTE: Appendix C gives a rationale for various Clauses in this Australian Standard and is included to provide additional insight into the reasoning that led to the requirements and recommendations that have been given. Appendices D and E provide advice concerning materials to be used in resuscitators and face masks.

First published as AS 2488-1981.Second edition 1995. First published as AS 2488-1981. Second edition 1995.