Recommendations for a backup machine for CPAP therapy?

I am looking for any recommendations for a very good CPAP machine as a backup machine for myself. I would consider an APAP as well but I am hoping to spend about $500 give or take a few hundred. I have been stable on straight CPAP at 10 cm of H2O for almost 5 years with AHI of about 0.5 consistently. APAP seems interesting but seems more expensive or am I wrong? Are there compelling reasons to spend more for an APAP. I was diagnosed with mild obstructive sleep apnea.

I appreciate any help.

I was just over at http://www.secondwindcpap.com and they had "gently used" ResMed S9 AutoSet's (apap) there for $479. That includes everything (no heated hose, slimline instead) except a humidifier. If you need a humidfier, that was about anther $90. Comes with a warranty, and low run hours. Good place, they stand behind what they sell.

That's what I did for my backup. You might try going there and browsing their cpap's. Their stock varies, so you may or may not find exactly what you're looking for. You can also find a straight CPAP there, just be sure to get a model that's data capable, in case you need that.

There are members here that sometimes have units to sell. You need to register in order to contact each other. I have bought an Auto Respironics 560 with 0 hrs and a Bipap Respironics 760 o hrs here, at very reasonable prices. I believe you can find an Apap for your price or less.

If you keep your eyes open, you can possibly get a brand new APAP for less than $500. I purchased mine for $400. It was a brand new DS560 Auto CPAP - Zero Hours-with standard hose, case, heated humidifier, manual, etc.. Great Unit. Lowered my AHI avg about 1.0 from previous unit. It became my main unit and my old one is my backup.
Watch for postings by STL Mark. He sells them on here every few months or so for great prices.

Watch your local Craigslist. I've bought top of the line S9 AutoSets and PRS1 Auto machines for $300 or under.

I usually see such deals locally every month or two. You'll also see a lot of ridiculously overpriced old, outmoded CPAP machines for higher than online prices for new machines. Be sure you know how to figure out the actual model you get. The ResMed S9 machines have the name on the top near the power button. For PRS1 machines, learn the model number on the bottom and the name that's printed on the top near the display.

There are some hints on which machine to get in the useful links in my signature line below.

I am little nervous about buying used. Does Second wind sell any new and do you trust them in that regards? I did see some new machines less than or about $500 on our host site but are they any good? I do want a a data capable machine that has excellent reviews.

ClassicsMom wrote:I am looking for any recommendations for a very good CPAP machine as a backup machine for myself. I would consider an APAP as well but I am hoping to spend about $500 give or take a few hundred. I have been stable on straight CPAP at 10 cm of H2O for almost 5 years with AHI of about 0.5 consistently. APAP seems interesting but seems more expensive or am I wrong? Are there compelling reasons to spend more for an APAP. I was diagnosed with mild obstructive sleep apnea.

I appreciate any help.

I say get a new data-capable APAP machine (about $500 give or take a few hundred) and use it as your primary machine and keep your current machine as the backup.

Here is what I recommend - https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... idair.html

That may be a little more than you want to pay, but I think you will enjoy the machine and the extra cost spread over five or more years of use is not so expensive.

Do some internet shopping and you may find a better deal, although this is a recently introduced model and you are not likely to save much. CPAP.com, this forum's sponsor, will match prices and they are good to deal with.

ClassicsMom wrote:I am little nervous about buying used.

why?

all my machines were bought used.

ClassicsMom wrote:I am little nervous about buying used. Does Second wind sell any new and do you trust them in that regards? I did see some new machines less than or about $500 on our host site but are they any good? I do want a a data capable machine that has excellent reviews.

You should be nervous about used equipment. However, since you're presumably not in a hurry, you can buy for probably half the price of new. I and friends of mine have bought 8 machines from people on craigslist. Only one was defective in any way, and that was one of two top model machines I got for $150 for the pair.

Don't worry too much about the machine being "germy." The machine itself is not likely to spread germs, but replace or sanitize the hose and mask. Replace the air filters. It can be a problem if there were smokers in the house.

Be sure to learn how to tell the machines apart to know you're getting a good, data capable machine.

However, this one is an excellent, full auto, fully data capable, brand new for $595 from our host. It's one level back from the current model, but the main disadvantage is it doesn't allow you to use a heated hose. https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... -flex.html

What CPAP machine and model do you currently have? Tell us everything it says on the top of the machine if you don't know the model and name.

Secondwindcpap.com do offer new open box zero hour machines and yes, they can be trusted.

palerider wrote:

ClassicsMom wrote:I am little nervous about buying used.

why?

all my machines were bought used.

Being a nurse, I am worried about the possibilities that the machine would not be sterilized properly and I am not confident that I could do so myself. Having worked critical care for 20 years makes one leery of the possibilities.

ClassicsMom wrote:Being a nurse, I am worried about the possibilities that the machine would not be sterilized properly and I am not confident that I could do so myself. Having worked critical care for 20 years makes one leery of the possibilities.

why would you sterilize a machine?

HOW DO THEY STERILIZE YOUR RESPIRATORY THERAPY MACHINES? I BET BY THROWING AWAY DISPOSABLES, CHANGING FILTERS, AND WIPING DOWN MACHINES. OR IF THEY DO MORE MAYBE YOU COULD USE THEIR PROTOCOL.

Guest wrote:HOW DO THEY STERILIZE YOUR RESPIRATORY THERAPY MACHINES? I BET BY THROWING AWAY DISPOSABLES, CHANGING FILTERS, AND WIPING DOWN MACHINES. OR IF THEY DO MORE MAYBE YOU COULD USE THEIR PROTOCOL.

You are probably right. It is just that after all of the secretions I suctioned out of of people's lungs over the years, a used machine does not seem very appetizing to me.

ClassicsMom wrote:

Guest wrote:HOW DO THEY STERILIZE YOUR RESPIRATORY THERAPY MACHINES? I BET BY THROWING AWAY DISPOSABLES, CHANGING FILTERS, AND WIPING DOWN MACHINES. OR IF THEY DO MORE MAYBE YOU COULD USE THEIR PROTOCOL.

You are probably right. It is just that after all of the secretions I suctioned out of of people's lungs over the years, a used machine does not seem very appetizing to me.

I quite understand that point, but you have to think about the machine that you'd be buying is on the other end of a 6 foot + column of air, with an easily cleaned humidifier tank between that and the blower unit itself.

I've taken apart pr sys1 and resmed s9 machines, and there's really not much in there that bugs would find appetizing to chow down on, unless someone dumps water backwards into the machine... and that'd likely ruin it anyway.

replace the filters and wipe it down, and replace, or sanitize the humidifier chamber, and you're really good to go. hoses are cheap to replace, and masks, should you need to do something with a used one, typically have reprocessing guidelines in the back of the manual if they need to be cleaned up for another patient.