Power Failure - is it dangerous for a CPAP user?

[MamaBear2016]

I started using a CPAP about 5 years ago, with a mask that was just over my nose. It took me about a year to get used to it. After a couple of years, I was having problems with it, where my mouth would blow open as I slept - defeating the whole purpose of the CPAP, right?

SO I went back to the supply company and asked about a mask that would cover both my nose and mouth, so it wouldn't blow open. First they suggested a chin strap, but that was just too much for me, because I get up at least once during the night, and just didn't want all that hassle, so we went this route.

But one thing that kind of makes me nervous, is the possibility of a power failure while sleeping. The mask allows a little bit of air to come in, before I turn the CPAP on, but I don't know if it's enough, and have fears of the power going out, and suffocating in my sleep. I mean, if it's a nose-only mask, then my mouth would open, to breathe, but with both covered, I'm afraid that I could die or something.

Then when I got up this morning, one of the clocks was flashing, and Jennifer told me that the power went out for a few minutes last night. Well I'm alive, but this still leaves me anxious.

Is there a real danger of dying during a power failure, from this nose-mouth covering mask? Or even of getting brain cell damage?

[Goofproof]

Only if they don't know the safe way to replace a fuse. Please sight the obit of a person you know that has died from XPAP use. It would be a very short list, if not lawyers would be advertizing on T.V. for cases. Jim

[zoocrewphoto]

There is a valve on each full face mask that allows air to come in near he mask if there is no air flow from the machine. Obviously, with the cpap on, you will back to having sleep apnea events, but there will be enough air there to inhale. I have experienced several power outages as well as having a cat step on the power button a few times over the years. In most cases, I woke up within 10 minutes as the air is a little harder to breathe, kinda like when the ramp starts at 4. It's enough physically, but doesn't feel like enough.

[MamaBear2016]

I'm not talking about a nose-only mask, but one that covers the nose and mouth, both. Are we clear on that?

Yes, a tiny bit of air comes in, before I switch the machine on at night, but VERY little. I'm assuming that would be the case during a power outage while I sleep.

And people die in their sleep all the time, so who would worry about it, if it happened?

[palerider]

Is there a real danger of dying during a power failure, from this nose-mouth covering mask? Or even of getting brain cell damage?

None. You'll note there's a little flapper valve somewhere on the mask, which opens if the machine is off... and you get fresh air through that.

If you're just using a nose mask, there's no valve, because you can just open your mouth to get air.

I don't know what kind of mask you're using now, but if you check the manual, there should be an 'anti-asphyxiation' valve pointing out in the section that says what all the mask bits are.

[LSAT]

To make you a believer...Put on your mask and hook the hose to the CPAP, but don't turn it on. If you are still alive in 10 minutes, the valve is working.

[Goofproof]

And people die in their sleep all the time, so who would worry about it, if it happened?

Lawyers, they would be trying cases even if it wasn't the cause of death.... Jim

[palerider]

Folks, i don't think she doesn't believe, (maybe I'm wrong) I think she just didn't know.

[MamaBear2016]

Exactly palerider. I don't know how I could have missed it. Just went in with the phone camera and there it is! Plain as day!



The only thing freaking me out must have been the difference between the pressure with the machine on, and the resistance with it off.

[palerider]

Exactly palerider. I don't know how I could have missed it. Just went in with the phone camera and there it is! Plain as day!

The only thing freaking me out must have been the difference between the pressure with the machine on, and the resistance with it off.

I hope you feel more confident now.

The difference really feels different when the machine is on and helping you inhale, vs when it's off, it's understandable that it might scare you because of how much different it feels.

[chunkyfrog]

One night, when I forgot to turn the machine on, I slept for 3 or four hours--with a full face mask.
The noise of the valve flopping back and forth was what woke me up.
Breathing was not quite as easy with the power off, but very much possible.

[D.H.]

Only if they don't know the safe way to replace a fuse. Please sight the obit of a person you know that has died from XPAP use. It would be a very short list, if not lawyers would be advertizing on T.V. for cases. Jim

I scoured the internet looking for such a case. The only thing I was able to find was an incident of a CPAP falling out of a window and hitting somebody on the head.

Assuming that one is tethered to CPAP for six hours each night, and assuming that deaths occur evenly through the day, one stands a 25% of (eventually) dying while tethered to CPAP. Yet all I found was the window incident.

In any case, make sure that the anti-asphyxia valves are not blocked (all FF masks have this if they are approved by the FDA).

[MamaBear2016]

Exactly palerider. I don't know how I could have missed it. Just went in with the phone camera and there it is! Plain as day!

The only thing freaking me out must have been the difference between the pressure with the machine on, and the resistance with it off.

I hope you feel more confident now.

The difference really feels different when the machine is on and helping you inhale, vs when it's off, it's understandable that it might scare you because of how much different it feels.

Thanks palerider and everyone!

[D.H.]

Of course, power outages are becoming progressively more unacceptable!

It's not just CPAPs, it's dialysis machines, respirators for critical respiratory failure, refrigeration for critical medication, and more. No doubt there will be even more devices in the future for all sorts of maladies. Besides, more people (and older people) live in high rise buildings and are dependent on elevators. Traffic lights and street lights are critical for public safety. Not to mention that food needs to be refrigerated. Electric systems simply need to be more reliable than they are now, period!

[palerider]

Of course, power outages are becoming progressively more unacceptable!

It's not just CPAPs, it's dialysis machines, respirators for critical respiratory failure, refrigeration for critical medication, and more. No doubt there will be even more devices in the future for all sorts of maladies. Besides, more people (and older people) live in high rise buildings and are dependent on elevators. Traffic lights and street lights are critical for public safety. Not to mention that food needs to be refrigerated. Electric systems simply need to be more reliable than they are now, period!

Another irrelevant post by the forum joke. So desperate to have some "input" that there's no thought whatsoever to the worth of what is posted.

If you want respect, stop posting mindlessly, Post less, and make them useful posts, ask some respected members whether your post is worth making. LSAT, JNK, Pugsy, Chunky, Nanwilson, Janknitz, Kteague, ChicagoGranny, etc. I'm sure that any one of them would respond and be helpful if you PM'd them with a message asking "How can i stop being the class clown and start being a respected member of the forum?"