HMV: The Basics

Understanding Home Mechanical Ventilation — types, equipment, benefits, and how it works.

Home Mechanical Ventilation (HMV) assists breathing for people whose respiratory muscles are weakened or paralyzed due to neuromuscular or musculoskeletal conditions. Below you'll find answers to common questions about how ventilation works, the different types of equipment, and what it means to live with a ventilator.

26 topics covered

Understanding Ventilation

Types of Ventilation

Ventilator Equipment

Breathing Techniques

Getting Started

Further Resources

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HMV: The Basics

Understanding Ventilation

What is ventilation?

What is mechanical ventilation (MV), also known as assisted ventilation?

What are the benefits of using MV?

Who uses long-term MV?

What is a ventilator?

How does MV work?

How did mechanical ventilation develop?

Types of Ventilation

What is negative pressure ventilation?

What is positive pressure ventilation?

What is noninvasive positive pressure MV?

What is invasive positive pressure MV?

What is sleep-disordered breathing?

Ventilator Equipment

What is CPAP?

What is a bilevel positive airway pressure ventilator?

What is a volume-cycled ventilator?

What is a pressure support ventilator?

What is a multi-mode ventilator?

What about ventilators for infants and children?

What is a pneumobelt?

Breathing Techniques

What is frog breathing (glossopharyngeal breathing)?

Getting Started

Which method and ventilator should be used?

How do I obtain the equipment?

Who pays for the equipment?

What if something goes wrong with the ventilator?

Will I need specialized care? Can I live at home?

Further Resources

Where can I find more information?

Want to learn more?