Portable ventilators under field conditions

Summary Twenty‐eight field rescue units using mechanical ventilators were questioned about the incidence of practical difficulties encountered with their equipment. Eleven (39%) had used the equipment in an emergency. Sixty‐one separate incidents were recorded, in 48 oxygen therapy alone was given but in 13 the equipment was used to ventilate the patients’ lungs. Seven units (25%) experienced some sort of practical difficulty. Six units complained of trouble with servicing, five of which were frustrated by delays with replacement oxygen cylinders.