Many patients need help to breathe during their stay, so a ventilator is used for this purpose. This is a machine that blows air into the patient’s lungs, and is used to help when the patient has a respiratory, cardio-vascular disease or when a coma compromises breathing capacities. The ventilator allows oxygen levels in the blood to maintain a sufficient level and get rid of carbon dioxide. The patient is connected to the ventilator by a tracheal tube placed in the throat. The placing of this tube is always done under anaesthetic.