Disclosed is an apparatus and method for the delivery of supplemental oxygen
gas to a person combined with the monitoring of the ventilation of the person with
both being accomplished without the use of a sealed face mask. Preferred embodiments
of the present invention combine an oxygen delivery device, a nasal airway pressure
sampling device, an oral airway pressure sampling device, and a pressure analyzer
connected to the sampling devices to determine the phase of the person's respiration
cycle and the person's primary airway. The oxygen delivery device is connected
to a controller such that it delivers a higher flow of oxygen to the person during
the inhalation phase of the person's respiratory cycle. The invention thus increases
end tidal oxygen concentrations with improved efficiency comparative to known open
airway devices. Embodiments of the invention can include carbon dioxide sampling
tubes that continuously sample air from the nose and mouth to determine carbon
dioxide concentration during exhalation.