smoky air in CA

KBee · Post by **KBee** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 6:30 pm

The air here in California is very bad right now due to the fires. I have been wondering if it would be better for my lungs not to use the CPAP. Is it just forcing more bad air into my lungs?

Bearded_One · Post by **Bearded_One** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 6:43 pm

Even with the smoke it is better to use your CPAP.

danw61 · Post by **danw61** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 7:23 pm

This is when it's nice to have a fine filter in your CPAP machine if you have one. But yes, even if you don't have a fine filter, it's still better to use your CPAP.

KBee · Post by **KBee** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 7:49 pm

I do have a fine filter, that's a good idea, I'll stick it on. Can they be washed and reused like the other filter?

danw61 · Post by **danw61** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:12 pm

No, I don't think the fine filters are washable. But your DME should give you some if you ask for them when you order more supplies.

new-to-BiPAP · Post by **new-to-BiPAP** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:07 pm

I was told the fine filters are not washable and should not get wet. My DME said we could get a new filter a month and change it when it starts to show it's getting dirty. I believe they may also prolong the life of your machine...but don't quote me!

Snoozing Gonzo · Post by **Snoozing Gonzo** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:09 pm

During he past two summers western montana experienced a lot of fires and was subject to the smoke from other fires in Idaho, Oregon, and Canada. I'd echo the above recommendations for fine filters - just change them when hey look dirty. Even the times I just used the standard filter (plus humidity) I felt I got better air at night than my non-CPAP family. I was the only one not hacking and blowing my nose first thing in the morning. At the end of fire season, I got new foam filters as I washed and rotated them every couple days when the smoke was the worst.

Good luck and stay safe.

Chris

goose · Post by **goose** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:32 pm

I'm in the middle of "fire central" and I have to say I'm reallllllly getting tired of breathing smoke. This afternoon was far worse than this morning, but who's keeping track.

The sad part is that at one point there were 800 fires going -- most from lightning strikes. We're expecting more dry lightning over the next two days, so me thinks it's gonna get worse!!!!!

On Sunday we heard the "air boss" (the airplane that the Cal Fire guys use to control the helicopters doing the water drops etc.) go over a few times. When we hear the plane twice, we go out and look for where he's flying because he's too darn close......Well on Sunday as I was looking for the cause of the airboss' consternation I drove up one of our little side roads to a newish vineyard outside Georgetown and lo and behold there was a fire coming up the slope about 2 miles from the house - there were numerous fire vehicles and strike teams that had already been dispatched up on the ridge, but of more interest was that I could see 5 or 6 other fires in the distance.....(the view is gorgeous when there's no smoke).....it seemed like they were everywhere.....I go by now and there's only one left, so there is progress being made. A nice breeze would help clear out the smoke, but that's a double edged sword as it will also fan the flames.....I'm just hoping for no lightning tomorrow and Saturday....

It's not fun!!!

All that to say, I still clamp my mask to my face every night. I have all the filters in place and feel that bad air is better than no air at all!!!!

just my $.02.........

cheers
goose

Captain_Midnight · Post by **Captain_Midnight** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:38 pm

Kbee wonders if it would be better to skip the PAP therapy while the air here in California is a bit chunky.

Nupe! As the posters above concur, use the cpap with the finest, and cleanest filters you have. The potential risk from apneic episodes is much greater than what the pollutants might present.

Actually, I feel lucky to have the APAP on, because every night, I get cleaner (filtered) breathing air than any of my neighbors.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:46 pm

KBee wrote:I do have a fine filter, that's a good idea, I'll stick it on. Can they be washed and reused like the other filter?

the M series filters have impregnated charcoal so they should reduce the smoke smell, if it is dirty just brush it off with a fine brush you shouldn't wash it, the plastic mesh screen goes towards the machine, then insert the foam behind it.

Sleeprider · Post by **Sleeprider** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 11:08 pm

I only got the foam filter with the machine about a month ago, but have fine filters on the way. Better late than never. Even with the foam filter, we have it better than people breathing completely unfiltered air. CPAP users probably include more "sensitive: individuals for poor air quality.

Its probaby time to shut the windows, turn on the air and recirculate filtered air here. This really sucks. It's not July yet. Fire season starts in September. Just imagine.

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SleepGuy · Post by **SleepGuy** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 11:37 pm

So, if you stop using your cpap, won't you still end up inhaling the same volume of the same air--actually probably worse air since it won't be filtered.

While cpap air is under pressure, you don't actually breathe any *more* air with a cpap than without it. It's just that the air you do breathe is under pressure.

Seems to me that I'd be glad to have a cpap. At least you get an air filter. And I know what Goose would say about that nice smoke smell in the air: He uses PurSleep.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 11:49 pm

[quote="Sleeprider"]I only got the foam filter with the machine about a month ago, but have fine filters on the way. Better late than never. Even with the foam filter, we have it better than people breathing completely unfiltered air. CPAP users probably include more "sensitive: individuals for poor air quality.

Its probaby time to shut the windows, turn on the air and recirculate filtered air here. This really sucks. It's not July yet. Fire season starts in September. Just imagine.

goose · Post by **goose** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 12:43 pm

yeah -- I'm with snoredog -- that's pretty clear picture compared to some areas. I look out the window right now and I may have 1/4 to 1/2 mile visibility, if that (being on the top of a ridge I use the trees in the distance as my gauge). It ebbs and flows.....it seems to get really bad in the afternoon but we still have fires going around us.....I guess Truckee is even worse (up the hill about 40 miles or so)......So I guess we should count our blessings.

SleepGuy is right -- I don't notice the smoke smell at all when I have my mask strapped on. A couple drops of the pur-sleep oils on the diffuser pad and I'm good to go.....I have a "controlled" aroma......
Actually now that I think about it, I should get out the xPAP machine and use it all day -- that way my air is filtered....

We have our "Bug out" box's ready, so......

cheers
goose

Sleeprider · Post by **Sleeprider** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 3:47 pm

That shot was from the Channel 3 skycam in Sacramento. Here in the foothills, its worse, but the idea was to give an idea of conditions. The AQI index was worst on Monday this week, but has been in the upper 180 to 210 range all week. That's jus plain unhealthy for everyone.

I received the new filters today. I had to wash out the hose and mask as everything smelled like a smoker was using it. Pretty gross.

smoky air in CA

smoky air in CA

Better to use cpap!