| An oxygen mask is a device that provides the ability to transfer breathing oxygen gas from a tank storing oxygen to the lungs of the patient. Oxygen masks come in many different types and sizes, and may cover the mouth and nose, or sometimes the entire face. |
| Oxygen masks are made of a variety of materials, such as silicone, rubber, or plastic. Medical care providers mainly use plastic oxygen masks for oxygen therapy. The reason for this is that plastic oxygenmasks disposable and therefore they reduce cleaning costs. They are also lighter in weight, which helps with the comfort level for patients wearing an oxygen mask. Silicone and rubber oxygen masks are heavier. |
Rubber and Silicone oxygen masks are designed to provide a tight seal, and are often used by aviators, medical research subjects, and other patients that need a dose of pure oxygen to be administered. |
Those patients who may require oral administration of pure oxygen include carbon monoxide poisoning victims and victims of decompression sickness. In some tight-fitting oxygen masks, there are valves that control the flow of the oxygen gases into and out of the masks, so that rebreathing of exhaled gas is eliminated or minimised.
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| Hoses or tubing connect an oxygen mask to the oxygen supply. Hose is larger in diameter than tubing and can allow greater oxygen flow. When hose is used it may have a ribbed or corrugated design to allow bending of the hose while preventing it from twisting. |
| Anaesthesia masks are face masks that are designed to provide patients general anaesthesia inhalation gas. These masks are resistant to creating any sort of spark or static electric discharge, which can ignite the oxygen. The masks often have a double breathing hose system. |
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