Protective mask

Claim 1

A protective device for emergency use by a rescuer in the administration of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to a patient comprising: p1 (a) a protective mask comprising an elongate, generally planar membrane of a tough film material having, when lying flat, a longitudinal axis and an outline configuration which is asymmetrical about said axis, said membrane being of such a width on either side of said axis as to cover, when worn, are area of the face extending from immediately beneath the nostrils to below the chin and jaw, and substantially all of the cheeks, said outline configuration having a lateral extension portion which, when worn, extends downwardly over and rearwardly under the chin of a wearer, and means secured to end portions of said membrane and to said lateral extension portion for securing the mask wrapped in place over the lower face of a wearer while permitting free movement of the jaw, lips and tongue of the wearer; (b) a breathing tube insertable through said membrane of said mask, said breathing tube including: (i) a tubular member forming a central passageway and having a rescuer end and a patient end; (ii) a valve means positioned within the tubular member for permitting the passage of fresh air from the rescuer to the patient but preventing passage of air in the reverse direction; and (iii) vent means in a wall of said tubular member between the valve means and the patient end of said tubular member for permitting passage of air leaving the patient's mouth of the atmosphere without reaching the mouth of the rescuer.