Abstract: A system for providing mechanical ventilation to a plurality of patients using a single ventilator is provided. The system includes a first branched adapter may be coupled to a ventilator, the first branched adapter having a plurality of branches and configured to divide a ventilator gas stream into a plurality of gas streams for delivery to a respective plurality of patients. The system includes a pressure regulator in fluid communication with one branch of the first branched adapter and with one patient, the pressure regulator being configured to reduce the pressure of the gas stream reaching the patient such that it is less pressurized than the ventilator gas stream. The system includes a second branched adapter may be coupled to a ventilator, the second branched adapter having a plurality of branches and configured to unite expired gas streams from the plurality of patients into a single expiratory gas stream.