This is a new series on the Fundamentals of Anesthesiology – the first course is on Gases and Vapors. It should serve as a good introduction to the topic for early stage residents in Anesthesiology – but is also applicable in critical care and emergency medicine and nursing. For experienced practitioners it will be a straightforward refresher course – but I guarantee you’ll learn something.

First up I discuss the forgotten gas – water vapor – and why it is really important in our practice. The main concept that you must learn is the Saturated Vapor Pressure.