[JimRed]

You literally have to have at least a 1:1 staff:patient ratio to use them, and that only for a short time.

Or a patient with sufficient strength and awareness to squeeze his own. While awake, of course.

[Spktyr]

If they’re in the hospital and in bad enough shape to need a ventilator, they’re highly unlikely to be able to squeeze their own bulb - or possibly even remain conscious.

[Osage Orange]

I actually had a pt...years ago that could bag mask himself.

...And suction himself...

Had a pt. not long ago...that did his own trach care...and broke a cue-tip off in his trach...( Don't ask...ha!! )

Nurses came running to me...told me what had happened..walked in the room..and he was fine. HE was bitching about the cue-tips being crap...LOL!!

He was in ZERO distress,,,so I figured the cue tip was lodged in the trach..( It was...) and not down his trachea..

HE wanted to do everything...pulled the trach, placed the new one himself...I was just standing there if he needed help...LOL!!