Before you start you will need:

  • Cooled boiled water for balloon inflation
  • 2 x 5ml or 10ml luer slip syringes

Patient should not stand up or pull on the tube during this procedure.

Method:

  1. Wash your hands well, with soap and dry thoroughly.
  2. Fill one syringe with the recommended amount of cooled boiled water. Remove excess air. Keep to one side, within easy reach.
  3. If there is a clamp on the tube, open it.
  4. Push the remaining empty syringe onto the balloon port to open the valve and pull back the plunger to completely empty the balloon.
  5. Check the amount of water removed is roughly the same as the amount that was put in the last time the balloon was filled. If not, try again until all the water has been removed. If you have removed only half of what you put in last time, or less, contact the helpline for advice.
  6. Immediately take the syringe filled with the recommended amount of fresh water and push it onto the balloon port, filling the balloon.
  7. If there is a clamp on the tube, close it. If not, keep your thumb on the plunger as you remove the syringe from the balloon port. This prevents the water from squirting out of the balloon.
  8. Once you have filled the balloon with the recommended amount of water, gently pull the tube until some slight resistance is felt. This is to make sure that the balloon has inflated and that the tube is being held in place. 
  9. Make a note of the date and volume removed and volume used to inflate the balloon.

In the event of the tube falling out, seek urgent advice from your discharging hospital or the 24hr Fresenius Kabi helpline 0808 100 1990. For children and young people you should contact your Children's Community Nurse.

If you would like this information in another format, for example large print or easy read, or if you need help communicating with us, please contact:

First Community (Head Office)

Call: 01737 775450 Email:    fchc.enquiries@nhs.net    Text: 07814 639034

Address: First Community Health and Care, Consort House, 5-7 Queensway, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 1YB.

For office use only: Version 4 GU_TS003 Publication date: May 2026