Increasing ventilator surge capacity in disasters: Ventilation of four adult-human-sized sheep on a single ventilator with a modified circuit

It is possible to ventilate four adult-human-sized sheep on a single ventilator for at least 12 h. This technique has the potential to improve disaster preparedness by expanding local ventilator surge capacity until emergency supplies can be delivered from central stockpiles. Further research should be conducted on ventilating individuals with different lung compliances and on potential microbial cross-contamination.