The novel coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]) responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented global surge of critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation. 1 Although there is significant variation, critically ill patients requiring invasive ventilation have up to 50% mortality, with survivors often requiring prolonged respiratory support and long hospital stays. 2 e7 At the time of writing, the UK Intensive Care National Audit & Research Centre (ICNARC) has been notified of 13 379 admissions to critical care with confirmed COVID-19, with 10