Alarm when I remove the mask

Hello: Sometimes I pull off my mask while sleeping and wake up feeling horrible. My machine (Resmed S9) doesn't have a built-in alarm like I've heard some have. When I pull the mask off, it blows at full power for maybe 10-15 minutes and then shuts off. It doesn't happen as often as when I first got the machine, but a recent scare left me looking for a real contingency solution.

Is there some solution any of you can recommend to alert me if I pull off the mask?

A geeky note: I've used a Kill-a-Watt to find out that my machine pulls about 30-40 watts in normal mode and about 100 watts when it starts blowing with the mask off. I've tried hacking something up where I can tell if it goes into 100 watt mode, but my poor soldering skills have only ruined a couple Kill-a-Watts. If there is some simpler DIY solution, I'm happy to consider that.

teh_z0r:

Find the "clinical manual" doing a search on this website and go in and set the S9 for (smart start) auto on and off! So when your mask is removed for any reason it will shut off within a few seconds. Also with this setting your machine will start when you put on your mask and breath into it! That will solve part of your problem!
Hope this helps!
Steve,
ufo13

ufo13 wrote:Note: When you check the manual, I believe you will also find instructions for "ALARMS" and settings that will trigger for various problems when indicated!

nope.

The cheapest way is to use a bit of tape that pulls on your hair when your
sleepy bad self tries to take the mask off. Alarms need not be audible.

teh_z0r wrote:Hello: Sometimes I pull off my mask while sleeping and wake up feeling horrible. My machine (Resmed S9) doesn't have a built-in alarm like I've heard some have. When I pull the mask off, it blows at full power for maybe 10-15 minutes and then shuts off. It doesn't happen as often as when I first got the machine, but a recent scare left me looking for a real contingency solution.

Is there some solution any of you can recommend to alert me if I pull off the mask?

A geeky note: I've used a Kill-a-Watt to find out that my machine pulls about 30-40 watts in normal mode and about 100 watts when it starts blowing with the mask off. I've tried hacking something up where I can tell if it goes into 100 watt mode, but my poor soldering skills have only ruined a couple Kill-a-Watts. If there is some simpler DIY solution, I'm happy to consider that.

Well, I have two suggestions. One requires acquiring a service monkey, possibly a macaque to sleep in small hammock above your headboard and gently put it's little macaque fingers in your ears when you take your mask off. If you've ever had monkey fingers in your ears, you know it is alarming.

The second suggesting might be more technical, but it does not requiring feeding, grooming and entertaining a macaque monkey. Everything has drawbacks. First, go to the nearest hardware store and ask for a door alarm. It needs to be one of the plastic things that uses a magnet switch. You shouldn't be more than 10 bucks out of pocket. Take that bad boy home and set it up with a chin strap so part of the alarm is taped to the chin strap and part is taped to your CPAP head-harness. This will require independent work and thought on your part as I am not there with you and I don't want to be. You did the Kill-aWatts thing, so I have faith that You can do this.

Anyway, I think you can rig yourself up a nifty little alarm system cheaply that will raise the dead and keep you in the CPAP.

teh_z0r wrote:Hello: Sometimes I pull off my mask while sleeping and wake up feeling horrible. My machine (Resmed S9) doesn't have a built-in alarm like I've heard some have. When I pull the mask off, it blows at full power for maybe 10-15 minutes and then shuts off. It doesn't happen as often as when I first got the machine, but a recent scare left me looking for a real contingency solution.

Is there some solution any of you can recommend to alert me if I pull off the mask?

A geeky note: I've used a Kill-a-Watt to find out that my machine pulls about 30-40 watts in normal mode and about 100 watts when it starts blowing with the mask off. I've tried hacking something up where I can tell if it goes into 100 watt mode, but my poor soldering skills have only ruined a couple Kill-a-Watts. If there is some simpler DIY solution, I'm happy to consider that.

You could sleep next to my wife, she clobbers me every time the mask leaks, somehow this is supposed to be better than her clobbering me when I snored.

Resmed prides themselves in having the quietest machines.
To that end, there are no bells, buzzers, whistles, or chimes in their equipment.
There are visual reminders, however, to replace your mask/mask parts, hose, tanks, etc.
--whether or not they are still fully functional; and especially if they are made by Resmed.
Using the mask and machine while awake can help acclimate your subconscious to therapy.

ufo13 wrote:Find the "clinical manual" doing a search on this website and go in and set the S9 for (smart start) auto on and off! So when your mask is removed for any reason it will shut off within a few seconds.

An opposing idea is not to use the auto on/off feature. Then, if you unintentionally remove the mask, the loud rush of air may awaken and alert you.

I made one https://www.instructables.com/id/Digita ... e-Monitor/

I have had same problem. The Luna 2 CPAP has a mask off alarm. The default settings are off. So you have to fight your way through the setup menu to turn alarm on. This CPAP is available through most online CPAP suppliers.

RNcpapuser wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 07, 2020 1:49 pm

... The Luna 2 CPAP has a mask off alarm. ... This CPAP is available through most online CPAP suppliers.

Because it's not compatible with OSCAR, few here would recommend this machine.