Respiratory failure is a very serious condition clinically, and if not handled promptly, many patients may have their lives endangered. The emergency measures for respiratory failure include the following. First, it is necessary to maintain the patency of the airway. If the patient is unconscious, the patient should be placed in a supine position with the head tilted back, the lower jaw lifted, and the mouth opened to clear the airway of secretions and foreign objects. If this is insufficient, tracheal intubation and other methods should be considered to maintain airway patency. Additionally, oxygen therapy, which involves inhaling oxygen, can correct the patient's hypoxic state. If the respiratory function is very poor, consideration should also be given to using a ventilator to assist breathing. Other emergency measures include etiological treatment, supportive treatment, and protecting the function of other vital organs, among others.