NIV refers to the provision of respiratory support without direct tracheal intubation. As such, it aims to avoid some of the complications inherent with invasive ventilation, such as the need for sedation with risks of hemodynamic instability and subsequent risk of delirium, nosocomial infection, etc.1 In a recent worldwide survey, the use of NIV increased from 4% to 11% of all episodes of mechanical ventilation between 2001 and 2004 respectively, with even higher rates of use in some European countries.2 Indeed, for some situations it is considered the first-choice mode of ventilatory support However, it may not be appropriate for all patients, particularly as it is being used increasingly outside of the traditional critical care setting (Indications/Contraindications for NIV).