A mechanical ventilator is provided that includes a dashboard display identifying a patient's current ventilatory status within a global or universal ventilatory mechanics map. This dashboard display is dynamically updated with the patient's condition, and shows trends in the patient's ventilation over time. The map identifies suggested safe and unsafe regions of ventilation for the patient, and the ventilator can display informational texts, trigger auditory and/or visual alarms, and transmit alarm communications in response to determining that the patient is approaching or has entered an unsafe region.