My Antique is Dead

[cv66er]

Oh well. After twelve and a half years of perfect service, my ResMed AutoSet T Sullivan has become non-responsive. I tried the battery fix that someone else here mentioned, but it's not coming back. The DME that I've learned to tolerate has a new blower on order for me, and I should get it tomorrow. It'll be some bare minimum POS without any of the features I've grown used to, but at the moment, I'm more interested in pressurized air than data. I've been two days without a CPAP, and I'm turning into a zombie.

Tonight I decided to do something about it. I built a temporary CPAP replacement! I got an old pedistal fan and streched a plastic tall-kitchen trash bag over the shroud. I then cut a corner out of the bag, inserted the hose from my mask through the hole, and used a wire-wrap to hold it in. I was worried about CO2 building up in the bag, so I made a small hole next to the hose to keep the air fresh. With the fan on high, the bag inflates, pressure fills the hose, and I BREATHE! The pressure is less than the Antique supplied, but it beats no pressure at all. I just got three and a half hours of decent sleep, and feel much better.

I don't think I'd recommend this as a long-term solution. It's noisy, barely functional, and difficult to hook up to, but it's amazing what a little ingenuity and desparation can do.

[user from Singapore]

Sincere condolences....
I am impressed, this is VERY ingenious!
I would however ask you if you made sure the (old) fan was 100% clean before using it? It is impressive how fans can collect dust and release it from time to time. That would not be a good idea to inhale all this.

[cv66er]

I was too tired to think about that at the time, but luckily, I tear this fan apart and clean it occasionally. It wasn't too dirty. Also, the way the bag was inflated, most of the dust would probably settled on the lower surface of the bag, and not made it to the hose.

I updated my avatar with a pic of me on my contraption.

[chunkyfrog]

You will be so amazed with the feel of the new, 'good' machines. (Like mine)
Although, with your experience, you could probably get by on something very minimal.
I think you deserve an upgrade! I love your story!

[cv66er]

I hope so, chunkyfrog, and my wife is hoping it'll be quieter. Unfortunately, I think most of the noise is mask related. What I'll miss is having all the manuals and the software to read and operate the machine.

I've updated my profile. Does anyone have opinions or suggestions on this model REMstar?

[BlackSpinner]

I hope so, chunkyfrog, and my wife is hoping it'll be quieter. Unfortunately, I think most of the noise is mask related. What I'll miss is having all the manuals and the software to read and operate the machine.

I've updated my profile. Does anyone have opinions or suggestions on this model REMstar?

All the manuals are on line

Software is there too as long as you get a data capable machine - efficacy data that is.

[neverbetter]

You could do what sullivan did and put your vacuum on backwards, assuming your vacuum is clean.

[cv66er]

All the manuals are on line

Software is there too as long as you get a data capable machine - efficacy data that is.

Yeah, I just noticed the software was sold here, and found one link to Clinitians manuals. Getting into clin setup mode seems easy enough. My blower has the SD card, so maybe the only thing I've lost is APAP capabilities.

You could do what sullivan did and put your vacuum on backwards, assuming your vacuum is clean.

I think that I'll just re-create my contraption for any future emergencies, instead.

[chunkyfrog]

Well, aren't we frugal.
Hey, it's OK. Treat yourself!

[Sir NoddinOff]

I infer from your profile that you're soon to be getting a PR System One REMstar Pro CPAP Machine with C-Flex Plus: Just a word. You usually can dumb down an Auto machine to be a CPAP but you can't really 'smart up' a CPAP machine to be an Auto. Jez sayin'.

[user from Singapore]

I infer from your profile that you're soon to be getting a PR System One REMstar Pro CPAP Machine with C-Flex Plus: Just a word. You usually can dumb down an Auto machine to be a CPAP but you can't really 'smart up' a CPAP machine to be an Auto. Jez sayin'.

Sir, I see we have the same machine.
I see also we both use nasal pillows. Some might read this information with high interest
Anyway, I agree with you on the machine. But it seems the model we are both using is not available anymore? Now the new model is PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine. It also seems the PR System One REMstar Pro CPAP Machine with C-Flex Plus has been discontinued.

[Sir NoddinOff]

Yeah, since the old PR S1 550 has such sweet Sleepyhead compatibility, proven durability, quick pressure response times and backwardly adaptable features, I hope we're not going to be reminiscing about the good old days with the '550s". It would be depressing if that happened... however, I suppose we'd be sitting on a gold mine with our current machines! $5000 for a slightly used PR S1 550, anybody?

[Lizistired]

I love the fan setup!
When I met my DME and he suggested over a week to get me a machine, I told him I had an air compressor in the basement and I would have cpap. I'm still thinking of trying the portable tank to see how long it would last at my pressure. Screw air quality, I live in the ohio river valley! What do I have to lose?!

[cv66er]

I love the fan setup!
When I met my DME and he suggested over a week to get me a machine, I told him I had an air compressor in the basement and I would have cpap. I'm still thinking of trying the portable tank to see how long it would last at my pressure. Screw air quality, I live in the ohio river valley! What do I have to lose?!

I'm going to show that picture to any future DMEs I need to deal with, just so they know that they're not as important to me as they seem to think they are.

[Cindy Lou Who]

I'm going to show that picture to any future DMEs I need to deal with, just so they know that they're not as important to me as they seem to think they are.

Wooo! That's priceless. Gotta remember that gem. Thank you!
Cindy