A ventilator is a machine that helps a person breathe when they are unable to do so on their own. It is also known as a breathing machine, respirator, or life support machine. A ventilator works by pushing air into the lungs and removing carbon dioxide from the body. The machine can be set to take a certain number of breaths per minute, or it can be programmed to kick in automatically if the patient hasnt taken a breath in a set amount of time. A tube is inserted through the mouth or nose directly into the trachea, and the machine pushes air into the lungs and forces the patient to inhale. The machine uses positive pressure to force air into the lungs, which is different from normal breathing that uses negative pressure. The use of a ventilator is often necessary during surgery or when a person is very sick and cannot breathe on their own. Ventilators are most often used in hospital settings, and a doctor or respiratory therapist controls how much oxygen is pushed into the lungs by the machine. While a person is on a ventilator, they cannot eat or talk, and they need to receive nutrients through an IV.