Getting Auto On and Auto Off to Work

[Cat Lady]

My machine (System One) has a setting for having the system start automatically when I put on the mask and stop when I take it off. Even though I set it to "on" it does not seem to work - am I doing something wrong? Thanks for the help.

[n0hardmask]

My machine (System One) has a setting for having the system start automatically when I put on the mask and stop when I take it off. Even though I set it to "on" it does not seem to work - am I doing something wrong? Thanks for the help.

Hi... sounds like you have a full face mask. If so, the auto-on-off is disabled - for your safety, I presume. If you don't have a FFM, you might check what mask type is indicated in your user choices; could be it's set incorectly. Hope that helps.

[Pugsy]

Auto on should be turned to the ON setting and the machine on its own will start after it senses a couple of breaths.

Auto Off should be turn ON for the machine to stop blowing when you remove the mask. Please note that this is not nearly as immediate as the On feature. It will run for a while and flag large leak so I usually suggest using the on/off round button to turn the machine off.

While ResMed machines do have a disable feature for the automatic on/off with full face masks, the Respironics machines do not. Mask model doesn't matter with Respironics auto on or off features.

If you make the changes and the changes don't hold in the machine then perhaps the settings have been set using software and are on the SD card and thus overriding your choices.

[GumbyCT]

My machine (System One) has a setting for having the system start automatically when I put on the mask and stop when I take it off. Even though I set it to "on" it does not seem to work - am I doing something wrong? Thanks for the help.

Which model System One do you have? It's like saying my car is a Chevy. oh!

Are you just putting the mask on and expecting the machine to turn on? Which make/model mask are you using? There are hundreds.

IF everything is set correctly, the reason a machine wouldn't turn on is either you aren't breathing or it can't sense you breathing due to leaks. Leaks either from a poor fitting mask or a leaky hose. It is a very good way to tell if your system is intact before going to sleep.

Edit: It takes 1 minute AFTER the machine sense you are no longer breathing for it to auto shut OFF.

[GumbyCT]

Did you happen to see Cat Week on Ellen last week? She has some clips on here website.

[ameriken]

Like Gumby said, it's really helpful to know what you're using. If you go to your 'control panel' and then 'edit equipment' and then select the machine, mask, and software you're using (also please check the 'text' option, not the 'image' option).

There are many very knowledgable folks here who know quite a bit about equipment (I'm not one of them ) who may know your machine and mask and their highlights and quirks and can offer some better help.

Good luck!

[archangle]

Cat lady, please fill in the equipment list on your profile. There's a link at the end of this post. We may be able to help you if we know what your equipment is.

[GumbyCT]

Cat lady, please fill in the equipment list on your profile.

IF you were to write the equipment you are asking about into your post - 5 or 10yrs from now - after you have changed your machine 3 times and your mask 8 times it will still be accurate to the reader.

So many times we forget to change our equipment profile when things change. It really makes more sense for the poster to write their equipment into the post so no one is playing guessing games.

I can't read between the lines and don't make assumptions.

[lordvader]

I have a PR System One and love the auto on feature but it stopped working on my machine. I've checked the settings and its on. Its a hit a miss thing now with my machine. It use to work like a champ.

[Cat Lady]

Sorry I didn't post complete information about my equipment (and I have added that to my profile). I have a Respironics System One Remstar Auto A-Flex with SD card, a Respironics System One Heated Humidifier and the ResMed Swift FX Nasal pillows (paperwork also calls this is Mirage Swift FX).

So, no, not using a FFM and I have set both settings to "on." I did breathe 3-4 times after putting it on and nothing happened - maybe I didn't wait long enough? I AM breathing and I don't have leaks. I don't see anywhere in the "set up" menu where I can indicate equipment. The resistance setting is at "one" - is that where it should be? Thanks again.

[chunkyfrog]

With the Mirage swift FX for her, I'm guessing you are either using the small or the extra small pillows.
The airflow through these pillows may not be sufficient to activate the auto on/off feature.
I recall some others have had trouble with the smaller size pillows and auto on/off.

[GumbyCT]

I AM breathing and I don't have leaks.

IF the machine is setup correctly then the ONLY thing that can cause the machine not to sense when you breath are leaks. Try it before bedtime, breath slowly and deeply.

So, no, not using a FFM and I have set both settings to "on."

IF it doesn't come on after several deep breaths then check your settings again.

You do know that cats are notorious from putting their claws into the hose, right?

You didn't answer about Cat Week.

obtw - that IS a very good machine. So is the Swift mask.

Now seeing this -

With the Mirage swift FX for her, I'm guessing you are either using the small or the extra small pillows.
The airflow through these pillows may not be sufficient to activate the auto on/off feature.
I recall some others have had trouble with the smaller size pillows and auto on/off.

Low Flow can definitely be the cause here. What size pillows? Try another mask if you have one avail.

[Cat Lady]

I do have size small nasal pillows so maybe that is the reason this doesn't work. I tried to get it to come on today during the day and rechecked the setting several times to make sure it was set to "on." It was. Don't have another mask. I'll try it again tonight and try to breathe deeper.

No I didn't see Cat Week. Sorry, not familiar with "Ellen."

[Pugsy]

I use the PR S1 Auto CPAP with AFlex myself.
I also use the Swift FX nasal pillow mask. I use either the XS or Small nasal pillows (both work for me)
I have the Resistance setting to zero which is off and what Respironics suggests for non Respironics masks but I don't think that is what the problem is but you might turn it to zero to see. It does NOT affect leak reporting like the mask selection in ResMed machines do.

I just now went in and tried my machine to see how long it took for Auto ON to start the machine. 5 breaths. I tried it 3 times. Same deal. Try it for 10 breaths...if it doesn't start the machine then the Auto On function is not working properly. Up to you if you want to push the issue with supplier.

Size of nasal pillows will not make any difference. I don't think Resistance setting would but you can change it to zero on the off chance it does.

[GumbyCT]

Size of nasal pillows will not make any difference.

Since the auto On works on air flow I do think pillows too small (or lungs too small) could be a problem just like leaks are. That doesn't mean I am right just that it is another variable to reducing the air flow to the machine.

No I didn't see Cat Week. Sorry, not familiar with "Ellen."

How could you not know Ellen? She made Cat Week famous, lol
http://ellen.warnerbros.com/pets_and_cu ... /cat_week/