Can I suffocate with Cpap

[Hs2vlotr]

Hello,

I just started using the cpap machine, I also snore, I recently purchased a chin strap to have my mouth close so control my snoring so I've been using it every night along with the cpap machine. Is it possible that I can suffocate if the tubes get bended or twisted? I have the nose piece only, not the mask that covers the whole nose and mouth. I don't like the mask that covers the nose and mouth because it feels very uncomfortable and feel like I'm suffocating and start to panic. When it comes to the tubes I have to put the tube over the beds headboard so that it won't get tangle with my arms when I'm turning in my bed, I'm a deep sleeper so I don't know in what position the tube is positioned. I also read that if I sleep with my mouth open then the air from the cpap machine will be escaping from my mouth and it won't help as much with my sleep apnea.

Thanks for any advice,

Mia

[Lucyhere]

Hello,

I just started using the cpap machine, I also snore, I recently purchased a chin strap to have my mouth close so control my snoring so I've been using it every night along with the cpap machine. Is it possible that I can suffocate if the tubes get bended or twisted? I have the nose piece only, not the mask that covers the whole nose and mouth. I don't like the mask that covers the nose and mouth because it feels very uncomfortable and feel like I'm suffocating and start to panic. When it comes to the tubes I have to put the tube over the beds headboard so that it won't get tangle with my arms when I'm turning in my bed, I'm a deep sleeper so I don't know in what position the tube is positioned. I also read that if I sleep with my mouth open then the air from the cpap machine will be escaping from my mouth and it won't help as much with my sleep apnea.

Thanks for any advice,

Mia

Hi Mia... yes, it's true that when air escapes you aren't getting the most out of your therapy, but in the unlikely event the tubes got tangled up and you couldn't breath through your nose, that would make you open your mouth to breath. I don't know of a single person who ever suffocated from using the machine and in fact, I doubt that a single person has. I would suggest that you tell us what machine and mask you are using and at what pressure(s). It may be that you feel as if you are suffocating because your pressure is too low. If that is the case, people here can suggest ways to help you with that. Do you use the ramp?

Oh, welcome to the forum!

[Julie]

No, you won't suffocate... especially if you don't even use a full face mask (which plenty of us do and haven't yet died). Your mouth will open, or else you'll tear off your mask even in your sleep, or something like that will happen... your body is not a meek sheep but has a very strong survival force!

If you now feel you're not getting enough air tho' it's possible your pressure settings are too low - happens all the time - so let us know what machine you have, and what the settings are (and don't get ramp settings if you use ramp) confused with prescription settings for pressure.

[chunkyfrog]

I imagine that if this were a problem, they would have never put them on BABIES!

[Guest]

Hi,

Thank you for responding back, my cpap machine is Resmed AirSense 10 autoset cpap.

That's the thing if I'm not getting the air through the nose because of entanglement, I'll be force to open my mouth but I use a chin strap (sorry for not clarifying before) that straps around my head to keep my mouth close so it won't open so I won't snore, and that's why I worry that I can suffocate if I can't open my mouth to breath due to the entanglement would I suffocate? Sorry for the confusion lol im new to the cpap machine.

Thanks,

Mia

[D.H.]

All full face masks have anti-asphyxia values. Otherwise they would not be approved by the FDA.

You could try giving the nasal-only mask a chance. It's quite possible that if you have adequate pressure keeping your nasal passages open, you just won't mouth-breathe.

As hard as I looked for even one CPAP related fatality, the only case I found was of a CPAP machine falling out of a window and hitting somebody over the head.

[chunkyfrog]

OK, you are using a nasal mask, not a full face.
Have you ever seen the Chin up Strips?
Much more comfy than a chin strap, and you CAN breathe if the power goes off.
Opening your mouth is awkward---but doable.
I cut my own from masking tape--narrow mouth (annoys my dentist like you would not believe)

[D.H.]

All full face masks have anti-asphyxia values. Otherwise they would not be approved by the FDA.

You could try giving the nasal-only mask a chance. It's quite possible that if you have adequate pressure keeping your nasal passages open, you just won't mouth-breathe.

As hard as I looked for even one CPAP related fatality, the only case I found was of a CPAP machine falling out of a window and hitting somebody over the head.

==========

they rely on the air pressure to clear the co2

no air pressure and the o2 level goes way down as airflow in is very difficult

I'm not sure exactly how these valves work. Perhaps they rely on CPAP generated air pressure to stay closed during normal operation. In any case, there seem to be not even one case of death due to CPAP mishap (except for the one that fell out of the window).

[Janknitz]

Hi,

Thank you for responding back, my cpap machine is Resmed AirSense 10 autoset cpap.

That's the thing if I'm not getting the air through the nose because of entanglement, I'll be force to open my mouth but I use a chin strap (sorry for not clarifying before) that straps around my head to keep my mouth close so it won't open so I won't snore, and that's why I worry that I can suffocate if I can't open my mouth to breath due to the entanglement would I suffocate? Sorry for the confusion lol im new to the cpap machine.

Thanks,

Mia

The chin strap keeps your jaw from relaxing, but it doesn't stop you from unsealing your lips to take a breath. Unless you are very weak or completely paralyzed your body will do what is necessary to get air, starting with opening your lips.

[D.H.]

As I said, I was not able to find even one instance of any death from a CPAP mishap. If you assume one uses it for six hours every night, and that death is evenly distributed throughout the day, one stands a 25% of dying (evenutually) while tethered to the machine. Even given that, I was not able to find even one instance where they tried to blame CPAP.

[chunkyfrog]

If the idea still bothers you, keep reminding yourself that some of the first patients for cpap were BABIES,
who were saved from SIDS by using cpap. Just think about those sweet little babies.

[Janknitz]

One thing I will add is that you CAN suffocate WITHOUT CPAP. That's why we use them! It's not easy or common, but it does happen. Suffocating WITH CPAP simply does not happen.

[EdNerd]

What you might want to try is to put everything on during the day, when you are awake but relaxed. The mask, the chin strap - just like you would to go to sleep.

But DO NOT turn the machine on. Do something relaxing, like watch a movie or read a book. Breathe regularly, and see if you notice any differences.

If you start getting light-headed or dizzy, or otherwise feeling non-normal, take the mask off and grab a few deep breaths and see if that changes anything. Also, at some point in your test, see if you can crack your lips open and breathe better -- if you can, then you'll do it in your sleep too.

Ed

[Wazza36]

No way, not with a modern machine - especially Resmed. These expert engineers think of everything. The masks have special safety valves on them too.

[D.H.]

No way, not with a modern machine - especially Resmed. These expert engineers think of everything. The masks have special safety valves on them too.

Actually, suffocating would have more to do with the mask than the machine. However, FDA approved masks are safe. There is not one known incident of suffocation due to CPAP/mask usage.