Safe during a thunderstorm?

[Junebug999]

Is it safe to be all hosed up during a thunderstorm???

I theeeeenk so but is it okay??

[Julie]

I have my machine plugged into a little (small cig. box size) surge protector that goes right into an outlet (vs one of those big multiplug thingies on the floor), but that's really about protecting the machine. If the power does go out when you're attached, it won't hurt you (with or without a protector), but of course the air will stop, waking you up so you can take off the mask. Don't worry - you will wake up! I keep a little flashlight beside the machine so I can find my way around right away if there's no power, and can see where to put down the mask, etc.

[TX18366]

Yes, I think it's safe to be hosed up during a thunderstorm.

The Mirage Quattro mask has a little plastic flap in it (at the connection to the hose) that closes on the hose if there is no pressure (such as a power outage). This will allow almost full external air relief and you will not suffocate.

I actually had this happen to me last night. The power went out and the machine turned off but I didn't notice it until my wife's alarm clock turned back on once the power was restored. So I didn't wake up when it turned off. I never felt short of breath or anything.

Cheers,
Cory

[DoriC]

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/relian ... light.html

I know it's supposed to wake my husband up if machine goes off and it probably would??, but to be on the safe side I have one of these gadgets plugged in on my side of the bed to wake ME up!

[harry33]

a surge protector may not save your CPAP from melting inside if lightening hits the powerlines nearby but I dont think you could get a shock
you can if using a phone

[Sillyme]

if lightening hits the powerlines . . . I dont think you could get a shock. You can if using a phone

There's plenty of insulating material between you and the metal parts of the machine - not the case with a corded phone. Your CPAP hose would melt before it could get to you. And I think that if lightning struck nearby - you would wake up and take your mask off.

[bearded_two]

I feel perfectly safe using my CPAP during a lightning storm.

In order to be totally safe from a lightning strike on the power line, you could totally isolate your CPAP from the power line, by unplugging it and operating it from a battery.

[Junebug999]

thank you for the responses....and yes i think soon i'll get a battery backup.....i remember at my in-laws years ago if there was lightning it would make the phone ring....and we would never answer the phone during the lightning storms.

[Emilia]

I live in the lightning capital of the US....the Tampa Bay area. I use a Belkin battery back-up surge protector that will keep the machine going, but will also beep loud enough to wake me up. I get about 15 minutes of power with it so it is enough to keep the machine going for quick blips of power, but if it is a long one....I have the opportunity to shut things down properly. Believe me, if we are having a big storm... I'll be awake anyway !

[bearded_two]

It is weird to wake up at night for a bathroom run, wondering why it is so dark. Then, after waking up a bit more, realizing that the power went out and that the CPAP is running from its battery.

[resistance]

You can connect the machine to a UPS, which will both protect you from voltage irregularities and also provide some more power during outages.

[Junebug999]

well, i have very very fuzzy thinking these days because when dori c suggested the power out alarm....I checked it out and thought "yeah, it makes noise, BUT, instead I want a power out alarm that makes the lamp light flash on and off instead of an audible alarm

oh my gosh, i'm so fuzzy these days.....so I'll get an alarm....not that I HAVE to have it, but I think it will help me with the claustrophobia thing to know something will wake me up if the power goes out. Last night I was laying there with the mask on getting ready to go to sleep and could hear thunder rumblings....I was sort of concerned and wished I was in the family room with the computer to ask the question and then I remembered " AHA! iphone."

Thanks for answering. I'll get the power outage that doric suggested, and a battery backup. I do have the Intellipap plugged into a surge protector, but I'm thinking about checking out the set up from Belkin that Emilia suggested also. Thanks.

[bearded_two]

A typical UPS will power a CPAP for about a half hour or maybe up to an hour -- and most UPSs have alarms that will wake you up when the power goes out. A deep cell battery will silently power a CPAP for many hours or even a few days

[roster]

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/relian ... light.html

I know it's supposed to wake my husband up if machine goes off and it probably would??, but to be on the safe side I have one of these gadgets plugged in on my side of the bed to wake ME up!

It is a good idea IMO. I also use one. The point is not that I can't breathe through the relief valve. The point is that I can't breathe while sleeping without the machine running - a condition called sleep apnea .

After a long day, I sleep very soundly the first half of the night and I am not so sure that the machine turning off would awaken me. I might sleep for an hour or two and suffer 50 to 100 apneas. Not a nice way to sleep and the next day would also not be pleasant.

[DoriC]

Roster, I'm glad you reminded me of the safety valve but besides having all the apneas, what about the rebreathing? I was worried about that.