The present invention relates to a ventilator (10) for the mechanical ventilation of patients, comprising an operating device for setting at least one ventilation parameter (110, 112, 114, 116； 112, 110, 112, 114, 116, 120, 122, 130) having a manipulation element (22) that can be manually actuated by an operator to manually set the at least one ventilation parameter (110, 112, 114, 116； 112, 110, 112, 114, 116, 120, 122, 130), and a control unit (100) that is designed to automatically determine a setpoint for the at least one ventilation parameter (110, 112, 114, 116； 112, 110, 112, 114, 116, 120, 122, 130) on the basis of recorded values of variables. A first haptic feedback unit is associated with the operating device and is designed to control the manipulation element (22) in terms of a first haptic feedback such that a position of the manipulation element (22) corresponding to the setpoint of the at least one ventilation parameter (110, 112, 114, 116； 112, 110, 112, 114, 116, 120, 122, 130) determined by the control unit (100) is highlighted such that it can be perceived by the operator.
