This review discusses a possible role for capnometry or capnography in a daily practice of pre-hospital emergency care. Advantages and disadvantages of different technologies are outlined with their possibilities to affect the interpretation of results. The interpretation can be affected also by instability of vital functions in the early phase of care for the critically ill. Ther e are undisputable absolute indications for the use of capnometer: monitoring of mechanically ventilated patients, verification of proper endotracheal tube placement; other indications for capnometry can be seen in the assessment of effectivity of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, pulmonary embolism diagnosis, monitoring of spontaneously breathing patients.

        Key words: capnometry – ventilation – CPR – diagnostics