A method of 'crash induction' using pancuronium and thiopentone was studied in 100 patients at risk from vomiting or regurgitation. The technique was inferior to thiopentone/suxamethonium in terms of time to intubation, activity of vocal cords and responses to stimuli during induction. Six cases gave difficulty with intubation due to poor relaxation. Only two patients had a fall in systolic blood pressure of more than 20% following induction. No regurgitation occurred. The technique may be suitable for skilled anaesthetists in cases when suxamethonium is relatively contraindicated, when large doses of pancuronium can be used or when hypotension is likely to follow induction.