Adapting the Decathlon Group Easybreathe® snorkelling face mask for the safer administration of oxygen and/or continuous positive airway pressure and in the intra/interhospital transportation of patients with proven or suspected COVID 19 infection.

We are testing the feasibility and comfort of the use of a novel mask (the Decathlon group EasyBreathe snorkel mask) for the transport of patients between locations at our health service. The Decathlon mask is a non-TGA approved device used for recreational snorkelling. It has been adapted for use in COVID-19 patients by Italian engineers (see https://www.isinnova.it/easy-covid19-eng/) In this trial we propose to apply the Decathlon mask in place of standard delivery systems for oxygen and positive airway pressure. The Decathlon mask will be applied by clinicians in the hospital setting. The mask is worn over the entire face and has advantages over conventional delivery methods in that it is thought to reduce the risk of virus aerosolization (a common problem with conventional delivery systems) and therefore increase safety for healthcare workers and other patients at the hospital. We will test mask comfort and tolerability with daily questionnaires. The mask will be applied to suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients during transfer between the emergency department and other locations such as radiology department, ward and high dependency unit. We anticipate the mask will be worn for several hours at a time depending on patient tolerability (early data from overseas suggests superior tolerability to conventional mask setups). The mask may be used intermittently for the entire patient admission to hospital pending the clinical needs and preference of the patient. We anticipate, based on how conventional treatments are applied, that the patient will use the mask in 3 hour sessions with potential breaks in between to be determined by clinical need and patient tolerability.