Mechanically Driven CPAP?

[trek2020]

Hi - I am a CPAP user and a survivalist. I have power back up for when the grid goes down, but wonder what will happen if it goes down for a long time. Does any one make a strictly mechanically driven CPAP machine for that hypothetical situation?

[Goofproof]

You buy a hand cranked generator, find someone else with sleep apnea, sleep in shifts with the other person cranking the generator. Jim

[jweeks]

Hi - I am a CPAP user and a survivalist. I have power back up for when the grid goes down, but wonder what will happen if it goes down for a long time. Does any one make a strictly mechanically driven CPAP machine for that hypothetical situation?

Hi,

What length of time are you trying to plan for? A set of RV or golf cart batteries could probably get you through a few nights, longer if you can get by without the humidifier. A CPAP machine that has a DC input would be more efficient than a machine that needs an inverter or uses a power brick. One of the new very quiet Honda or Yamaha generators and a few cans of gasoline can be used to recharge the batteries or run your CPAP, and that could probably get you through another week. The question is how much gasoline do you want to store? When I grew up on the farm, we had a 100 gallon tank. Beyond that, you are into alternative energy scenarios such as a small windmill or solar cells.

This is a great question to ask. Every few years a large ice storm sweeps through the country and leaves rural areas without power for weeks at a time. I even recall a neighborhood in Minneapolis (a large metro area) that was out of power for 8 days a few years ago after a downburst storm uprooted many trees, which ripped up the underground power lines. If you can be out for 8 days in a big city, then this seems like something that you should be planning for if CPAP is important to you.

-john-

[newyorknative]

Try wind and solar.

[bearded_two]

Although they are expensive, a 12 volt solar system would be a great solution for off-grid CPAP operation. It might be a good idea to include a human powered generator, possibly involving an old bicycle and an integrated automotive alternator. I would store the solar panels, electronic modules, alternator, and backup CPAP in EMP shielded storage containers to prevent possible EMP damage. Some batteries, such as those that use lithium as part of their chemistry, contain electronic components that can be damaged by EMP.