Indications for BVM Ventilation Emergency ventilation for apnea, respiratory failure, or impending respiratory arrest Pre-ventilation and / or oxygenation or interim ventilation and / or oxygenation during efforts to achieve and maintain definitive artificial airways (eg, endotracheal intubation) Contraindications for BVM Ventilation Absolute contraindications There is no medical contraindication to providing ventilatory support to a patient; however, a legal contraindication (do-not-resuscitate order or specific advance directive) may be in force.