Breathing with cpap off

[AMK]

I can tell from my data chip that the power went out at 1:20AM but I didn't wake up till 2:30AM. Just a lot of dreams about being unable to breathe as I sucked air through the little mask vent. Didn't get power till 4:30AM. So, as with others here I'm sure, I am here now with a brain that isn't quite working combing through past threads trying to determine what to do to prevent this from happening again. A computer UPS? The "cpap backup power supply" my DME sells for $340? I understand from what I've read that my S10 with humidifier running is a power suck. Is it better to have an alarm that wakes me up and switch off the humidifier rather than have any hope of uninterrupted sleep?

[Krelvin]

I can't sleep when the machine stops, period. Wake up pretty much right away, no alarm needed.

If you search Google: site:cpaptalk.com battery
You will find a ton of links talking about battery power on this forum.

I also have a resource page about batteries include a DYI system based on info from a forum member CapnLoki
https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/batterysolutions

[chunkyfrog]

Bear in mind that before cpap, we all slept--just not very well.
Early on, I was so tired I slept several hours without turning the machine on!
Auto-on is now activated so that bonehead move will not be repeated.
If the power goes off for a short time, the machine turns back on when power is restored.
(Our utility is fairly reliable, and most outages are short)
I don't need to wake up to get it going again.

[AMK]

I followed the links on your page Krelvin and it looks to me like these backup batteries are not something that can be left in place in case of an unexpected power outage. That's what I need. I had no idea I would lose power last night.

[BlackSpinner]

I followed the links on your page Krelvin and it looks to me like these backup batteries are not something that can be left in place in case of an unexpected power outage. That's what I need. I had no idea I would lose power last night.

You need an alarm that will go off when the power goes out. You have the batteries set up and full in an easily accessible place.

Computer UPS are not designed for the power draw of a cpap machine with humidifier and wouldn't give you more then 20-30 minutes at most but most of them beep loudly so you would wake up.

[chunkyfrog]

Unless there is an intermediate device, the next step up would be a whole house power backup.
Not cheap; but a reasonable investment for someone on a ventilator or an oxygen concentrator.

[LSAT]

I can tell from my data chip that the power went out at 1:20AM but I didn't wake up till 2:30AM. Just a lot of dreams about being unable to breathe as I sucked air through the little mask vent. Didn't get power till 4:30AM. So, as with others here I'm sure, I am here now with a brain that isn't quite working combing through past threads trying to determine what to do to prevent this from happening again. A computer UPS? The "cpap backup power supply" my DME sells for $340? I understand from what I've read that my S10 with humidifier running is a power suck. Is it better to have an alarm that wakes me up and switch off the humidifier rather than have any hope of uninterrupted sleep?

I think most people using a pillow or nasal mask would automatically open their mouth to breathe when the power goes off...Shouldn't be a struggle.

[AMK]

LSAT, I cannot automatically open my mouth to breathe.

BlackSpinner, yes, that sounds like a plan; I guess there's no affordable way to have sleep be uninterrupted when this happens but at the very least I never want to spend over an hour pulling air through the mask vent again. And Chunkyfrog, you're right; if nothing else I can sleep with no cpap, though I'll be a zombie the next day. Thanks for the replies.

[Krelvin]

I followed the links on your page Krelvin and it looks to me like these backup batteries are not something that can be left in place in case of an unexpected power outage. That's what I need. I had no idea I would lose power last night.

https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/batter ... collection

Not an automatic switch over system but.. If the power goes off, you just plug your CPAP in to the battery system and go back to sleep.

The battery powered system on that page provides:

35 Amp-Hour system
Charger to keep it charged.
Cables to put it all together.
Without Humidity, you could get upwards of a weeks use on many CPAP machines.
With Humidity, most likely a day or more depending on pressures and your CPAP machine.
Safe to located in your bedroom (no out gassing, and continually on battery tender)

It will last a lot longer than a UPS designed for a computer and let you use your humidifier as well.

Right now I have a generator which can power a lot more (fridge) when we have outages, but I have to go outside to start it up. But I am thinking of building this one for short outages where the generator is overkill.

LSAT, I cannot automatically open my mouth to breathe.

You are a human? not a fish or something, because humans can breath through their mouths when they are not getting enough air.

[AMK]

You are a human? not a fish or something, because humans can breath through their mouths when they are not getting enough air.

Humans cannot breathe through their mouths when their mouths are taped shut because it's the only cpap mask arrangement they have been able to tolerate. I was hoping to avoid this particular debate, but, there it is.

Thanks for that link, that looks very interesting and I appreciate that all the info is organized on the page!

[chunkyfrog]

Chin up strips allow mouth breathing, but make it awkward enough for cpap.
My pattern for my home-made version, to be cut from wide painters tape:

[ChicagoGranny]

Power failure alarm - $13.69 - http://www.amazon.com/Powerout-Power-Fa ... +off+alarm

if nothing else I can sleep with no cpap

If you are forced to sleep without CPAP, make sure to sleep on your sides or stomach totally avoiding backsleeping. Typically, OSA is at its worst on the back because gravity is pulling the tongue and soft palate directly into the airway.

[lilly747]

Power failure alarm - $13.69 - http://www.amazon.com/Powerout-Power-Fa ... +off+alarm

AMK wrote:

This alarm works for me.

AMK, I too use a Swift FX and TAPE, and use a cervical collar (thanks CG). I do worry about breathing too much CO2 with the machine off...maybe it's OK but not something I want to be doing. I have not been able to find a FFM that works for me...face is too small.....

[icipher]

It absolutely blows my mind that our machines don't come included with some sort of battery backup unit.

[BlackSpinner]

It absolutely blows my mind that our machines don't come included with some sort of battery backup unit.

So you want to pay at least $500 more for them? For something that is very rarely used? In the almost 7 years I have been using a cpap machine I have had TWO nights where the power went out for over 1 hour - TWO!