These are preliminary observations of the introduction of a new technique of noninvasive positive pressure respiratory support for patients with subacute or chronic respiratory failure. Clinical situations where intubation or tracheostomy may have been performed were managed by intermittent positive pressure ventilation via nasal access (NIPPV) with a CPAP mask, or a custom constructed Vel-Foam nose piece. Four patients were managed at home with the use of portable volume ventilators. One patient employed the technique while hospitalized with subacute respiratory failure. Two patients, otherwise dependent on mouth intermittent positive pressure ventilation (MIPPV) 24 hours a day, received necessary dental care with NIPPV support. In a large population with a decade or more follow-up, MIPPV was shown to be an effective noninvasive technique to support respiration in patients with the most severe paralytic respiratory failure. Preliminary observations suggest that NIPPV may compare favorably with MIPPV and deserves more widespread study and application.