backup machine, does everyone have one?

[surf_rower]

It seems wise to have a backup machine. Do most of you veterans have more than one machine? Does insurance ever pay for two machines, or are you on your own? I would love to have a small travel machine as a backup at home and primary on the road, and would be willing to pay for that, but am waiting to hear whether they've come up with one that is quiet.
Thoughts?

[LSAT]

Generally insurance will not pay for a second machine. Many of us have used Craigslist to "carefully" find a good unit. Probably best to try to find one like your primary so if anything happened you could still use the humidifier. another place to try is secondwindcpap.com

[sleeplessinaz]

I have a backup machine but it is a straight CPAP. I was lucky to have changed insurance coma pies mid year, and the new insurance company bought me the Autoset as I had my PCP write me a script. So I keep the Redmed CPAP for backup. I was lucky - did not have to ever rent one or buy from Craigslist.

[Stevoreno_55]

I have an old Sullivan straight CPAP machine with a passover humidifier packed away in my closet still in it's original box with all of the literature; it was my first CPAP machine which I received in 1999. The original pressure on that machine was 16cm but I have since had it reset to my current pressure which is 18cm but I like my current machine; a PR DS400S with C-FLEX; love the C-FLEX feature since I'm on such a high straight pressure.



Stevoreno_55
MS Gulf Coast
03/14/14

[mgaggie]

No backup. Can't afford one

[2 B Sleeping Soundly]

I got two backups. The first is a used PR Sys One 550 from a forum veteran that I will never get rid of (this is purely for sentimental reasons, as they have been so very helpful/supportive and their wisdom has had a profound effect on the success of my PAP therapy, both directly and indirectly). The second was a brand new PR Sys One 560 that I got at a really great price from forum member STLMark (who is a really good person; a stand up guy).

I would suggest to those of you who don't have any backups of your PAP gear that whenever possible get backups of everything you use each night (or in the daytime for naps) to treat your SA/OSA. I have gathered items over time and it has provided for me a real sense of security that is hard for me to put into words (other hose heads here may or may not understand what I mean). The way I see it, you never know when something will get lost (if you travel), break at the worst possible time, or suddenly become worn out and be providing ineffective treatment and need to be replaced, so it is always good in my opinion to have backups.

Due to the amazing effect that PAP therapy has had on my health and my life, I never want to spend one moment sleeping without it. I want it every night to be doing what it does best... keep my airway open to provide proper O2 levels, thus allowing me to receive effective treatment for my SA/OSA and keep from dying in my sleep.

John

[chunkyfrog]

I bought both my Autoset and my backup from our hosts.
First, my insurance bought me an Elite, but after DH got his Autoset, I had to have one.
Later, I was flush with Flex, so I bought the Intellipap.
Our last bad power outage left at least one neighbor without her concentrator for several days.

[nakedjaxx]

.

[zoocrewphoto]

No backup. Can't afford one

Keep an eye on craigslist. I found an S9 autoset for $200 after looking for about 3 months. I have seen some other models for less. If you aren't in a hurry and just keep looking, you will eventually find a great deal.

[RogerSC]

I've been without a backup for a couple of years, but we're planning a European vacation this summer (wonder if we'll run into Chevy Chase???). So I went to SecondWindCpap.com and got a backup Autoset. It wasn't $200, but has a warranty, and I have a good feeling about the company. I feel like a backup is kind of frivolous, but thinking about a month in Europe, I'd hate to have my current Autoset stolen or damaged. So I took the plunge. Hopefully I'll still have a backup after our trip, we'll see...

[sleepyb]

After my machine accidentally drank some coffee and I was up the whole night, I got a backup from our hosts. Now I use the Intellipap whenever it is stormy since it will automatically switch to battery if we loose power.

[mgaggie]

No backup. Can't afford one

Keep an eye on craigslist. I found an S9 autoset for $200 after looking for about 3 months. I have seen some other models for less. If you aren't in a hurry and just keep looking, you will eventually find a great deal.

Thanks zoo, I had almost saved half of what I needed until my kitty cat Sophie had to visit the vet (poor thing is fighting 3 infections). Of course all savings went on her

I have found it will be cheaper to buy a brand new machine from the US, in some cases $500 cheaper!

[surf_rower]

Thanks for all the great replies so far! This is really helpful. The idea of traveling (other than by car) with two machines is alarming, but for a long trip I absolutely see the wisdom.

[zoocrewphoto]

Thanks for all the great replies so far! This is really helpful. The idea of traveling (other than by car) with two machines is alarming, but for a long trip I absolutely see the wisdom.

Actually, I would never take both machines on a trip. I do carry a copy of my prescription. If something happens to my machine, and I will be somewhere for awhile, I could probably get a rental machine for the remaining days. The whole point of having a travel machine for me, is that my main machine is not at risk of being stolen, and I have a machine set up and ready to go when I get home exhausted.

[hadassah]

I would like to get a backup C-Pap but my Remstar Pro series M 400 is now discontinued. Should I try to find a used one thru Craigslist or Ebay? Hate to fork out another $500 or more dollars just to have a backup.