The Importance of a Backup Machine

In a previous thread. I inquired about what the VS data report is actually measuring. So far, I haven't gotten any understandable description of what is going on.
That said, the next phase starts.
I have a travel system - a System One 960 that I have in a suitcase I just drop in the car and away we go. Over Christmas I used that system while visiting my son. When I got home, the VS values reported were down near zero as opposed to the 20 - 45 per hour for my home DreamStation machine.

I've spent a few days trying to recreate the environment that I had at the hotel with not luck.

Yesterday, I thought that it might be a machine failure (actually a partial failure since everything else seemed OK.)
So … I got out my backup DreamStation, got it installed, and started it up - lovely message "Error 04 device inoperative."
Called AC Biomed Services and they sent me a shipping label and it left yesterday.

Re-installed my home machine and last night the VS number was 100.3 per hour up from an average of 30 or so.
Called AC Biomed again this morning and got another shipping label and am off the FedEx to ship today.

Got out my second level backup machine - another System One 960 and will use it tonight.
I expect that both machines (still under warranty I hope) will take a couple of weeks to be processed.
Don't want to be without my ASV treatment.

The moral to this story is always have a backup, two or more if you can.
Anyway, Happy New Year everybody.

My backup is my old machine. I suggest that everybody who gets a replacement machine keep the old one as backup (if it's in working order).

When I got my first device, I knew I wanted a backup.

Every few days I would do a search on FaceBook MarketPlace, Kijiji and Letgo. That's how I got my first backup machine. I'm still on my original humidifier tank and heated hose, but replaced everything so I'm backed up there as well.

When choosing a backup machine, one should really lean towards the same model (or family). This way you've got replacement power cable, power supply, humidifier, hoses. This way you can also do some quick replacement trouble shooting, should you start to have problems.

When you're not in a hurry, or under pressure to replace a machine you can find great machines.

If anyone has financial issues with the affordability of a back up machine - you can try to apply for CPAP assistance at https://www.sleepapnea.org

They are a very helpful organization

JDS74 wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 03, 2020 12:35 pm

The moral to this story is always have a backup, two or more if you can.
Anyway, Happy New Year everybody.

thank you for posting this! while your situation is atypical, it's always good to have at least one backup on hand. because as has been said, these machines can (and DO!) fail on midnight friday of a three day weekend.

New night on backup 960 ASV machine. VS = 0.3
Additional evidence that the DreamStation ASV sensor is failing.
Thanks for the uplifting comments.

JDS74 wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 04, 2020 6:44 am

New night on backup 960 ASV machine. VS = 0.3
Additional evidence that the DreamStation ASV sensor is failing.
Thanks for the uplifting comments.

Did you ever look at the flow waveforms to see what they looked like?

beautifuldreamer wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 03, 2020 1:25 pm

If anyone has financial issues with the affordability of a back up machine - you can try to apply for CPAP assistance at https://www.sleepapnea.org

They are a very helpful organization

oh! i forgot earlier to post a thank YOU for posting this link. i think this is very important and should be in the mix of advice we give out here.

I was fortunate to get a backup/ travel Resmed S9 Autoset for really cheap. Both my mom and I use the same model, so it has been a backup for both of us. I have switched out the main part when my mom's machine had a problem. I figured out it was missing the filter cover, so dog hair got sucked in. I fixed it, gave her the filter cover off my backup and then ordered another one. Last year, a friend's husband died of cancer, and she gave me his machine. A Resmed Airsense Autoset. My mom normally sleeps in the living room, but sometimes will sleep in the bedroom. So, I set up the new machine there so she doesn't have to move her machine. And it can also serve as a backup. Almost loaned it to my brother a couple weeks ago. His machine died, and he had a backup, but it didn't feel like it was working right. So, I let him know he could come get the spare. He managed to get the backup working and then his new one arrived.

I have also loaned out the power cord to somebody who was traveling and accidentally packed the wrong cord. Having a spare means you have a full machine when something happens. You can trouble shoot later, not when it is time to go to bed. It is also easier to trouble shoot if you can compare two machines, swap out the power cord, etc.