Respiratory support is recognized to be a key component in the resuscitation of acutely ill patients and, as such, the basics are taught to all those who seek to acquire life support skills. Following stabilization, the continued provision of respiratory support, be it in the emergency department, respiratory ward or intensive care unit, is largely taken for granted. However, as the ARDSnet study has recently reminded us, the way we manage mechanical ventilation in the medium and long term actually has a significant impact on patient outcome. Although the literature is full of the evidence necessary to provide optimal respiratory support, synthesizing this evidence into a cohesive and logical approach would be an enormous task for one individual. On the other hand, excellent sections on respiratory support can be found in the major textbooks on critical care and indeed the ‘principles and practice of mechanical ventilation’ is the sole subject of Martin Tobin's authoritative tome of that name. However, these large reference books are expensive and less than suitable for those who need a more concise and practical overview of the subject. This book therefore seeks to fill the gap between the journals and the major textbooks by bringing together clear, concise and evidence-based accounts of important topics in respiratory support, together with, where necessary, explanations of its physiology and pathology.