How to Perform a Positive Pressure Leak Test on a Modified Bain Circuit

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April 2026

In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education video, Amanda M. Shelby, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia) demonstrates how to perform a positive pressure leak check of a Modified-Bain anesthetic patient breathing circuit. Don’t forget to check the integrity of the inner tubing—a commonly overlooked but important step in the setup that’s not shown in this video.

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  1. This is an incomplete video and should be removed or amended, please.
    Simply being able to achieve a 20-30cmH20 pressure into a bain circuit does not mean a leak test has been performed, or that the circuit has passed and ready for use. With enough flow, volume- this pressure can be achieved while still having a circuit, bag or APL leak. The video does not explain that flow was probably turned off at the desired pressure and is to hold at that pressure without dropping. Dropping of pressure indicates a leak and that the leak itself can be quantified – troubleshooting thereafter to rectify source.

    • Thank you Tamara for pointing out that critical element that got cut during production. We updated the video to include that statement where the anesthetist is reducing the FGF rate to ‘0’ to make it more transparent. Thank you for watching and providing us this feedback!

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