Smart Start or similar on your machine....Do you use it?

[Maxie]

Robysue told me about using Smart Start and I really like it. When I put my mask on and start to breathe my machine comes on and when I disconnect the hose, my machine cuts off. So far everything has gone very well so I wondered if anyone had experienced any downsides to this and if there is anything that I should be aware of that I'm missing.

[nanwilson]

I use it too, kinda nice not having to roll over once I'm masked up and reach for the "on" button. I don't use it to turn the machine off though, I thought it would show a large leak if I left it running for a few minutes. I just roll over, turn it off and get up.

[jen4700]

Love it! Use it for on and off. So easy.

[xenablue]

I do the same as nan - turn the machine on before masking up, so it starts up soon after, but turn it off manually when I wake up in the morning.

Cheers,
xena

[Pugsy]

I have always used the auto on feature with whatever machine I use. Respironics calls it Auto On and ResMed calls it Smart Start. Not sure what other brands call it.
It is just convenient. I do normally manually turn the machine off. No special reason though..just a habit I got into. In reality any "large" leak that might get registered during the time between mask off and the machine realizing that it needs to stop is going to be insignificant as far as leak line goes and other than affecting a maximum leak number it really won't impact the data all that much.
I timed my PR S1 machine once to see just how long it took for the mask alert thing to beep (pitiful little beep) and how long before the machine turned off. Just a minute I think it was all total.

Now some people prefer to have the machine run and not automatically turn off should a large leak occur or mask gets totally off the face like during the middle of the night...in hopes that the machine noise or air movement noise will cause them to wake up and put the mask back on. That's okay too. Whatever works for the individual and their peace of mind is what is important.

Just another one of those CPAP things that we say is a personal and individual choice. I can't think of any scenario where there would be any negative to having the Auto On or Smart Start feature used.
Auto off...depends on how you look at it and worry about the leak line or worry about sleeping through an accidental mask removal during the night.

A positive for the Auto On feature...if there is a minor brown out with electricity and machine gets turned off and you don't wake up immediately...the machine will come right back on when it senses your breathing. I personally have seen this with recent storms here.. I see the break in therapy line that is so very small and I never knew it but I would remember hearing the rocking and rolling of thunder and lightening.

[portiemom]

Love the smart start, and smart off, especially because the few moments with auto off the air is running through the mask drying any moisture that may be in there. LOVE IT!

[LSAT]

Love the smart start, and smart off, especially because the few moments with auto off the air is running through the mask drying any moisture that may be in there. LOVE IT!

Even with the auto off, doesn't the humidifier continue to run? As long as you use a humidifier there will always be moisture when the unit is running. Why worry about drying it out?

[Pugsy]

Even with the auto off, doesn't the humidifier continue to run? As long as you use a humidifier there will always be moisture when the unit is running. Why worry about drying it out?

The ResMed machines do continue to run after turning off manually or using the Auto off feature. It is the "cool down" period for whatever that is worth. No heat and a very minimal amount of air being pushed through the hose and was originally implemented to actually dry the hose out. If it picks up any moisture going over the water in the tank it is going to be minimal. This feature was also on the S8 machines.
I have never paid any attention to how long it runs. I don't think it is all that long but I have felt the air moving and it has minimal force.

[king_alvaro]

How to you activate the smart start of a resmed S9? I have always turn it on manually.

[Pugsy]

How to you activate the smart start of a resmed S9? I have always turn it on manually.

Its a setting in the clinical menu and when it is on all we do is take a couple of breaths with the mask on then the machines senses the breathing and it turns on all by itself.

If your machine doesn't do that then Smart Start is turned off. Easy to turn on in the setup menu if you want to.
or just as easy to push a button to start it.

[Gerryk]

I always used the auto start on my M series. I have it turned on on my new PR 1 but it doesn't always turn on so I reach over. I have to take a look and see if it is me, something I am doing or did wrong or if it is the machine.

I have never used the auto off feature.

[VikingGnome]

I use Smart Start for both On and Off. It's wonderful. I put on Zeo headband, then get nasal mask situated with forehead support over Zeo sensors. I have a "quick connect" on my Mirage Activa LT that allows me to easily connect or disconnect hose. So once the dog is settled in his crate, my mask, headgear, and Zeo are all ready to go. I turn off the lights, jump into bed, connect the hose to my mask, take a few breaths and I'm off to lala land. If the dog wants to get up and got outside at 4AM I just disconnect hose, throw on my robe and take him with my mask, headgear and Zeo and all. Who cares? Anybody up at 4 AM won't be awake enough to see the "weirdo" and the dog in the front yard. I come back in, dog into crate, off comes the robe, off with lights, settle into bed, and reconnect hose.

I used a ResMed Sullivan V Elite for 12 years. I love not having to stretch over to the other side of the bed to find the on/off button. I sleep in a queen size bed (alone) and it's quite a reach to that button.

[yawnny]

I also use it. A very few times, if when taking the mask off, you drop it just correctly in your pillow, so as to restrict flow enough, it won't shut off. This has only happened to me 2 times in hundreds of uses as I am usually very careful about where I place my mask when I remove it.

[Hawthorne]

I like the auto on and auto off on my Intellipap. I have always used the auto on and, just recently began using the auto off feature. I have arthritis and find that I am stiffer now when I wake up (20+ years of RA). I am unable to reach over and turn it off anymore without my arthritis talking to me. The auto off means I don't have to aggravate my joints any more than necessary when I get up in the morning or during the night. I have quick connect on every connection so it is easy to disconnect and not take off my mask if I am up during the night for a trip to the bathroom.

[Pugsy]

Side note about auto on/smart start. If a person breathes rather shallow and doesn't do much of a forceful exhale..the machines may not pick up on the exhale and not trigger the "on" function. This would be especially true for full face mask users where the volume is more diffused.