A person who is intubated with an endotracheal tube and on a mechanical ventilator must receive regular airway suctioning to keep the airway open. This should be performed as often as necessary to maintain a patent airway (not simply once an hour or on some set schedule). It is good practice to hyperoxygenate the patient prior to suctioning because they will be without oxygen during suctioning. Likewise do not suction for more than 15 seconds at a time since the patient is without oxygen. Remember the endotracheal tube is placed inside the trachea, so rinsing the tube with saline amounts to putting liquid into the lungs.