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In the management of a non-responsive adult during ACLS, bag-mask ventilation is the preferred method of airway management. This technique allows for effective ventilation of the lungs, ensuring that oxygen reaches the patient’s bloodstream and carbon dioxide is expelled. It is particularly advantageous because it can be administered quickly and does not require advanced training beyond basic life support (BLS) skills, making it accessible for a range of responders.

Bag-mask ventilation involves using a self-expanding bag and a face mask to deliver positive pressure ventilation. The success of this technique relies heavily on achieving a good seal between the mask and the patient's face and the provider's ability to position the head and open the airway appropriately. When done correctly, it can provide adequate respiratory support until advanced airway management is possible.

Other options, such as mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, are not endorsed in modern guidelines due to concerns regarding safety, efficacy, and the potential for disease transmission. A nasal cannula is ineffective for a non-responsive patient who requires more immediate and effective ventilation. Endotracheal intubation is indeed an advanced airway management technique, but it requires more skill and training, and it is often not the first-line approach in initial resuscitation efforts unless circumstances necessitate its immediate use