Hi Sam - saw your post on the FML about nurses using ferrets to practice intubation on and felt compelled to write. No flaming here! In fact, it was refreshing to see your post asking people to be polite and respectful. First of all, as an RN with ACLS (advanced cardiac life support) training, we do not - nor have we ever practiced on anything other than simulators. I had never heard of practicing on ferrets until the posts on the FML. I do NOT believe that it is a common practice to use ferrets. I subscribe to most of the main nursing journals, and never have seen this type of training discussed. The only exception I know of where mannequins are not used - is when there is a trauma in the ER and the person dies - occasionally the Dr.'s (residents) will practice intubation on the deceased. Respiratory Therapists will often use the deceased for this purpose also as they are often the first on the scene of a "code" and will intubate in an emergency before the Dr.'s arrive on the scene. Usually it just takes a couple of tries to get the technique down. This is not often disclosed, but I have seen it done. I don't believe that practicing on ferrets is very widespread. Therefore, I'd hate to see this get blown out of proportion. Of course, I do object to using ferrets to practice on, and would rather the Dr.'s use the "real thing". Intubation is not difficult to learn, but it must be done VERY RAPIDLY in order to ventilate the patient and keep them from anoxia. I hope this has perhaps helped to dispel some of the rumors flying around out there. I'm not saying that practicing intubation on ferrets is not done - but it is not widespread. Trace and Oreo [Posted in FML issue 2580]