In this study, the vital capacity rapid inhalation induction of anesthesia (VCRII) technique and the conventional spontaneous inhalation induction technique, each using 4.5% sevoflurane in nitrous oxide and oxygen, were compared. The VSRII group (n = 32) and conventional group (n = 32) were each tested on unpremedicated volunteers. VCRII required only half the time of conventional inhalation induction (54 s and 108 s, respectively), and was not associated with cardiovascular instability. Each of the two techniques was found acceptable by most of the volunteers studied (more than 80%). However, sevoflurane is best used with the VCRII technique because VCRII resulted in fewer excitement movements that could lead to severe complications and pronounced excitement.