I'm on my second tube, first one in 2003 for 9 months and this current one I've had for 3 months. Sometimes I think to much is made of having a PEG tube, although I KNOW there are a few that have had issues with them. Point being, most don't have trouble. I use the bolus method, put the syringe in the end of my tube and fill the syringe up, letting it flow in how fast I want it to. Lift the syringe higher for it to go faster, keep it lower to slow it down. I confess that I have never flushed it with water before or after a feeding, but I do put some water down my tube while I'm "eating". I put 7 cans a day in now and sometimes I put one can in in 2-3 minutes. It takes a little time to get past the initial queasy stomach from tube feeding, so go slow at first. Let your father decide how he wants to do it, the bolus method gives him the control. I never, ever use teh plunger to put anything in my tube, it is uncomfortable and adds air to the stomach.
Just don't look at the tube as some horribly complicated issue. It doesn't have to be. I forget I have mine unless I'm using it.

Good luck,
Minnie

SCC Left Mandible. Jaw replaced with bone from leg. Neck disection, 37 radiation treatments. Recurrence 8-28-07, stage 2, tongue. One third of tongue removed 10-4-07. 5-23-08 chemo started for tumor behind swallowing passage, Our good friend and much loved OCF member Minnie has been lost to the disease (RIP 10-29-08). We will all miss her greatly.