Maximum exhaled air dispersion distance via different oxygen administration and ventilatory support strategies
| Method | Maximum exhaled air dispersion distance |
| Oxygen via nasal cannula 5 L·min−1 | 100 cm |
| Oxygen via oronasal mask 4 L·min−1 | 40 cm |
| Oxygen via Venturi mask FIO2 40% | 33 cm |
| Oxygen via non-rebreathing mask 12 L·min−1 | <10 cm |
| CPAP via oronasal mask 20 cmH2O | Negligible air dispersion |
| CPAP via nasal pillows | 33 cm |
| HFNC 60 L·min−1 | 17 cm (62 cm sideways leakage if not tightly fixed) |
| NIV via full face mask: IPAP 18 cmH2O, EPAP 5 cmH2O | 92 cm |
| NIV via helmet without tight air cushion: IPAP 20 cmH2O, EPAP 10 cmH2O | 27 cm |
| NIV via helmet with tight air cushion: IPAP 20 cmH2O, EPAP 10 cmH2O | Negligible air dispersion |
FIO2: inspiratory oxygen fraction; CPAP: continuous positive airway pressure; HFNC: high-flow nasal canula; NIV: noninvasive ventilation; IPAP: inspiratory positive airway pressure; EPAP: expiratory positive airway pressure.