Medical care is a highly debated topic, as witnessed by the recent frenzy in Washington. Many of the issues debated are related to topics presented in this book. This book is written for those possessing intellectual interests in diseases related to the lungs as well as so called "end of life" issues.This readership includes laymen and health care workers.Laymen, such as lawyers and ethicists, will find perplexing ventilator situation along with basic medical background on various topics. End of life issues should provide "food for thought." Ventilator dependent patients exemplify many situations that impinge on all aspects of life. It is my objective, in writing this small book, to provide readers with a balanced understanding regarding interactions involving ventilators, patients, and families. Life and death literally hang on this balance.