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+--- Thread: Who checks the pressure on CPap? (/Thread-Who-checks-the-pressure-on-CPap)
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Who checks the pressure on CPap? - Mosquitobait - 05-12-2015
I was just wondering, if you bought a used machine or you think your pressures are off and you hated your DME (or they are out of business), who do you go to to check pressures? Does any DME do this? If so, how much does it cost, roughly?
I have a family member who is looking for a machine off of Craigslist. But, you never know - maybe a good deal will come along for a backup for me. I've noticed a lot of Resmed 9s on the list lately.
RE: Who checks the pressure on CPap? - Crimson Nape - 05-12-2015
Here is a link to a homemade Manometer:
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-Home-made-Manometer-for-few-dollars
Of course you can google for a commercially made one too.
RE: Who checks the pressure on CPap? - Mosquitobait - 05-12-2015
Cool. I can see family members making a project of it. LOL
RE: Who checks the pressure on CPap? - OMyMyOHellYes - 05-12-2015
There are also a couple commercially available manometers available form suppliers, some pretty cheap, more expensive ones up above $50.
OMMOHY
RE: Who checks the pressure on CPap? - trailrider - 05-12-2015
All machines would eventually need to be calibrated/checked or serviced. There are companies that do this without going through the DME.
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-CPAP-Supplier-List
RE: Who checks the pressure on CPap? - archangle - 05-12-2015
(05-12-2015, 04:50 PM)trailrider Wrote: All machines would eventually need to be calibrated/checked or serviced. There are companies that do this without going through the DME.
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-CPAP-Supplier-List
Other than replacing the filters and other disposable items, there's probably not much need for periodic maintenance, checking or service, unless the machine is broken. This is especially true if you monitor your treatment.
If you still want to check the pressure, for under $100, Supplier #1 has a dial manometer with the appropriate fittings. You want to check the pressure while the machine is being used.
RE: Who checks the pressure on CPap? - TyroneShoes - 05-13-2015
Actually, it is probably not all that important. CPAP therapy implies that the pressure will be set (eventually, sometimes through titration, sometimes through trial and error) to whatever pressure works best. Regardless of what the pressure reads, if setting the pressure to the reading that jives with what the prescription is doesn't work, try a little higher or a little lower, and find the pressure that works best. What it actually reads is secondary to having the actual "right" pressure.
It's even less critical with APAP, which titrates on its own. It doesn't care whether the pressure reads accurately; it cares that it is providing the right pressure, which it finds largely on its own.
My GPS says I'm going 75 when my speedometer says I'm going 78. One (or both) of them is wrong. It's annoying, but it doesn't really matter (because I'm over the speed limit anyway).
RE: Who checks the pressure on CPap? - Breathetonight - 06-06-2015
(05-12-2015, 02:37 PM)sgearhart Wrote: Here is a link to a homemade Manometer:
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-Home-made-Manometer-for-few-dollars
I just made one for myself. It cost about $2 for the hose and nothing for the stuff laying around waiting for a project. I made mine smaller, using a ~12x~16 board and 3 ft of tubing. I copied the the first 20 cm of my wife's sewing tape several times and cut out measuring strips. Once the tube was about a third? filled with water, I attached the measuring strip "0" mark even to the water surface on the rising side of the tube. Once the Cpap was connected and turned on I was able to read the half pressure with no problem. So simple and quick to make and use. Thank You!!!!
I had picked up a couple cpaps to set up for rv battery camping and home battery backup. I reset them for my prescription per the instructions obtained from this board. Since they were used units I wanted to check the pressure output just to be sure. They checked right on the money. speaking of which I think I'll make a donation to the Board; a valuable resource.
RE: Who checks the pressure on CPap? - WakeUpTime - 06-06-2015
I'm curious why going with a prescription pressure is so important to begin with. It's a starting point, but I trust the sleepyhead best-results section over time to always let me know what my best pressure settings will be -- with the occasional periodic self-tinkering that's both slight and gradual.
I've gone with a 0.5 point above my sleep prescription because I get better results, as shown by sleepyhead. Someone could suggest that my machine may be off by that 0.5 point but the result will still be the same.
RE: Who checks the pressure on CPap? - MobileBasset - 06-06-2015
I agree, who cares what the pressure is. You are only going to tinker with it anyway. The only issue would be if the blower was operating so poorly that you needed proof of it to get your money back.