Life support refers to the medical equipment and procedures that help keep a person alive when their body is unable to do so on its own. This can include machines that assist with breathing, like a ventilator, or devices that help maintain blood circulation, such as a heart-lung machine. Life support is often used in hospitals for patients who are critically ill or injured. When someone is on life support, healthcare professionals closely monitor their vital signs, like heart rate and oxygen levels. The goal is to stabilize the patient and provide time for their body to heal or for doctors to determine the best course of treatment.