Skip to airway content Airway of the MonthRead the patient. Rescue the airway. Run the room.

Vent control

Volume control

Set VT and minimum RR. Pressure changes with resistance and compliance.

Normal VC-CMV referenceSquare flow, pressure, volume scalars.Set parametersVT, RR, flow, PEEP, FiO₂.High pressure alarmPeak/plateau pathway.

Use case

  • Common starting mode after ED intubation.
  • Watch PIP/Pplat, delivered/exhaled VT, and flow returning to baseline.
About this resource
Created by: Andrew Pirotte, MD; Kyle Brown, MD; Reba Hodge, MD; Amanda Vanderwerf, PharmD, BCEMP; Morgan Kimball, PharmD, BCEMP; Joshua Mohess Clinical review: Emergency medicine faculty review completed. Medication content reviewed by Amanda Vanderwerf, PharmD, BCEMP, and Morgan Kimball, PharmD, BCEMP. Last reviewed: 2026-07-23 Next scheduled review: 2027-01-23 Designed for: EM residents, emergency physicians, EMS clinicians, airway educators, and simulation faculty Important: Educational resource and cognitive-aid guide only; not a bedside order set or substitute for local protocol, medical direction, or clinical judgment. Website contact: [email protected]