Do you stop using machine during thunderstorm with lightning

[ellen1159]

Dumb question: are we in danger using our machines during a thunderstorm? I always get off the telephone and out of the tub or shower if one is going on, afraid of receiving a shock.

[SleepyonMagnoliaSt]

Dumb question: are we in danger using our machines during a thunderstorm? I always get off the telephone and out of the tub or shower if one is going on, afraid of receiving a shock.

I would still use mine as long as it's on a surge protector. I don't think I'd be worried about a shock really but more about the machine being ruined in event of a power surge?

[Sheriff Buford]

If it's a real bad one (lighting everywhere) and I think we'll have surges or an outage, I will unplug. I normally unplug the power cord from the UNIT instead of the wall. If lighting is here or there.... I don't.

Sheriff

[n0hardmask]

Dumb question: are we in danger using our machines during a thunderstorm? ...

I would still use mine as long as it's on a surge protector. I don't think I'd be worried about a shock really but more about the machine being ruined in event of a power surge?

Good Question, SleepyonMagnoliaSt,
I agree with ellen1159 that using a surge protector is essential. If fact, I can add some personal experience. A couple years ago - before CPAP- we took a very close lightning strike near the bedroom- north side of house, under trees.
The electrical service is as far away as one can be, on the other side of the house, but the two locations that did take a hit were the utility room adjacent to the electrical panel; and the bedroom circuit on the north wall. Burned out circuit board in WASHER; and in bedroom a little surge protector and something else trivial. I had my stereo on a quality surge protector, so it was ok.
Believe me, I put the APAPs on surge protection from day 1. Be safe, don't fly kites with metal string during thunderstorms!

[Goofproof]

Dumb question: are we in danger using our machines during a thunderstorm? I always get off the telephone and out of the tub or shower if one is going on, afraid of receiving a shock.

Don't worry about it, many other things to keep me awake! Life is temporary, we all are dying, every minute. Odds are in our favor that your house or you will die from other things than lighting coming into your xpap mask. If lightning does strike, home ins should handle the repairs.

I you are really worried have Whole house surge protector installed on your power box, if your home wiring is up to code, and I doubt if it really is, most of us live in homes that aren't up to code, but the lights still work.

A airplane crashing into your bedroom has about the same odds of doing you in, or sleeping without your xpap, as a lighting strike. Jim

[quietmorning]

Wow - GREAT question!!

I usually don't, but not because I shouldn't, but because I just don't think about it. Now that I have a heated hose. . .maaaaaybeee I should? I do have my machine connected to a surge protector / back up battery - so probably don't have to - but I never really thought of it one way or another.

Thanks for bringing this up!

[Todzo]

Dumb question: are we in danger using our machines during a thunderstorm? I always get off the telephone and out of the tub or shower if one is going on, afraid of receiving a shock.

Great question Ellen!

What I do is to fill my house with high capacity surge suppression units. You need a good one to protect the CPAP (e.g. http://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-TLP100 ... pd_sim_e_2 ). But the more the merrier with these. They basically route the excessive energy of the lightning away from the things they protect. The more energy routed, the less likely it will build up to harmful levels in your equipment. I still have one outlet in the house that needs one. I am considering a UPS for the computers and CPAP (which usually have surge suppression built in).

Have a great week!

Todzo

[chunkyfrog]

I sleep right through thunderstorms. I usually sleep on my "good" ear; can't hear a blessed thing.
I didn't even know we had a cottonwood in our yard with a 5' diameter trunk struck by lightning
until the next morning when my son told me. There was wood and bark up to 200' away.

[squid13]

What I have is whole house surge protection from the power company. It's right below the meter and they also put it on my phone and cable input to the house. I still have my machine on a surge protector in the house.

[jdm2857]

Just realized that since I have FiOS, I don't have to worry about the phone and cable lines bringing surges in.

[Todzo]

Just realized that since I have FiOS, I don't have to worry about the phone and cable lines bringing surges in.

Fiber to the home - I am so jealous.

How is that virtual CPAP working out for you?

[Randyp1234]

I sleep right through thunderstorms. I usually sleep on my "good" ear; can't hear a blessed thing.
I didn't even know we had a cottonwood in our yard with a 5' diameter trunk struck by lightning
until the next morning when my son told me. There was wood and bark up to 200' away.

I was going to post pretty much the same thing. Now that I have CPAP I sleep so soundly I don't even know it's storming.

Randy

[jdm2857]

How is that virtual CPAP working out for you?

It's not working well enough for me to catch your reference.

[John from Brookston]

My machine is hooked to a UPS with a good surge suppressor built in. I usually sleep through storms, so unless it's storming when I go to bed I wouldn't know until the UPS started beeping to let me know the power was out again.

[hyperlexis]

Fascinating question!

However I wouldn't worry about it -- these things are completely tested for things like this, as medical devices.

Plus,the power brick would fry, not the machine itself. Anything should go to ground anyway. Plus a long plastic hose stands between you and any part of the (plastic plastic plastic) shell of the machine.

You could probably use it in the shower and be fine, honestly.