Acute Respiratory failure (ARF) is the leading cause of death in patients with severe COVID-19, who have been admitted to the hospital. Traditionally, it has been believed that with severe pneumonia complicated by ARF, survival can improve with the use of early intubation and artificial lung ventilation (ALV) in patients. However, according to recently published studies, COVID-19 has a very high death rate among patients receiving ALV. In case of early (pre-life support) start of oxygen therapy and respiratory support in patients with COVID-19 the need for transfer to the intensive care unit, tracheal intubation and ALV decreases, and therefore the prognosis improves. This article presents practical guidelines for oxygen therapy and respiratory support at the pre-life support in patients with COVID-19 infection complicated by ARF.