What is the recommended mode of ventilation for a child in respiratory arrest?

In cases of respiratory arrest in children, the recommended mode of ventilation is positive pressure ventilation with a bag-mask device. This method is effective because it allows for controlled delivery of oxygen to the lungs, ensuring adequate ventilation and reducing the risk of hypoxia.

Using a bag-mask device facilitates the proper technique needed to create an effective seal over the child's mouth and nose, allowing the medical provider to deliver breaths effectively. It's also important for this intervention to be administered correctly in a timely manner, as providing positive pressure ventilation helps to inflate the lungs and promote gas exchange, which is critical in a respiratory arrest scenario.

Spontaneous breathing is not an option since the child is in respiratory arrest and is unable to breathe on their own. Manual ventilation through mouth-to-mouth is less reliable and poses a risk of infection and inadequate sealing, making it an unfavorable choice in a clinical setting. Likewise, non-invasive ventilation via CPAP is not appropriate for a child in respiratory arrest, as it is designed for supporting breathing rather than providing the necessary forceful breaths needed in such an emergency.