life-support system
Keeps patients breathing
A life-support system is equipment that keeps someone alive when their body cannot function independently—typically providing breathing assistance, circulation, or nutrition in medical settings.
The term extends to any apparatus sustaining life in hostile environments: The spacecraft's life-support system recycled air and water.
Figuratively, anything essential to survival: Coffee is my life-support system.
Mechanical breathing apparatus
- respiratorBreathing protection device
- ICUAcute care ward
- intensive careSpecialized treatment for severe illness
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
dialysis · intubation · oxygen therapy · feeding tube · tracheostomy · pulse oximeter · defibrillator · catheter
Element eight, colorless gas
- pressurizationRaising internal atmospheric force
- thermal regulationControlling body heat levels
- humidity controlManaging air's water content
- radiation shieldingProtective barrier against emissions
astronaut · habitat · capsule · ISS · cabin pressure · environmental control · closed-loop · NASA
Protected place or structure
- rationsControlled food portions
- provisionsStockpiled food and supplies
- hydrationBodily fluid replenishment
- water purificationRendering liquid safe to drink
emergency kit · rescue · flares · preparedness · sustenance · endurance · wilderness · self-reliance
Interconnected organisms and surroundings
- biosphereAll life on Earth
- atmosphereGaseous layer around planets
- photosynthesisLight-to-sugar conversion in plants
- water cycleContinuous planetary moisture movement
biodiversity · habitat · sustainability · terrarium · closed ecosystem · regenerative · carbon cycle
Essential connection to safety
- crutchMobility aid for injured
- backboneVertebral column, or courage
- foundationUnderlying support structure
- essentialFundamentally necessary
indispensable · dependency · reliance · sustaining · vital · enabler · pillar · anchor
ventilator
Mechanical breathing apparatus
- respiratorBreathing protection device
- ICUAcute care ward
- intensive careSpecialized treatment for severe illness
monitoring · dialysis · intubation · oxygen therapy · feeding tube · tracheostomy · pulse oximeter · defibrillator · catheter · intravenous
oxygen
Element eight, colorless gas
- pressurizationRaising internal atmospheric force
- thermal regulationControlling body heat levels
- humidity controlManaging air's water content
radiation shielding · astronaut · habitat · capsule · ISS · cabin pressure · environmental control · closed-loop · NASA · filtration
shelter
Protected place or structure
- rationsControlled food portions
- provisionsStockpiled food and supplies
- hydrationBodily fluid replenishment
water purification · emergency kit · rescue · flares · preparedness · sustenance · endurance · wilderness · self-reliance · bunker
ecosystem
Interconnected organisms and surroundings
- biosphereAll life on Earth
- atmosphereGaseous layer around planets
- photosynthesisLight-to-sugar conversion in plants
water cycle · biodiversity · habitat · sustainability · terrarium · closed ecosystem · regenerative · carbon cycle
lifeline
Essential connection to safety
- crutchMobility aid for injured
- backboneVertebral column, or courage
- foundationUnderlying support structure
essential · indispensable · dependency · reliance · sustaining · vital · enabler · pillar · anchor · safety net
life-support systemeuthanasia
Deliberate death for relief
assisted suicide · physician-assisted death · withdrawal of care · lethal injection · DNR
life-support systemnatural death
Death from internal causes
letting nature take its course · non-intervention · death with dignity
support, system, lively, lifelong, lifetime, lifeless, lifelike, supporter, supportive