Leak alarm worthwhile/which machine has?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 1:10 am

Does anyone find a mask leak alarm function worthwhile? Which APAPs have that option?

I use the GK418P and GK420E, neither of which seem to have a leak alarm, alas. Generally, CPAP works quite well for me, but I find that apneac events accompanied by discernable mask leaks (according to Silverlining data) sometimes cause desaturations.

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 12:50 pm

It is a reassurance to me. Just started CPAP Feb 2. The DME discounted the need for the alarm and set it in OFF position. The first & second night was great-I slept-no problem. Third night air is blowing out my mouth every ten minutes-ordered a Tiara chin strap next day delivery. The chinstrap reduced the mouth openings to a few a week that wake me up. But I was still concerned that I could be sleeping through some as I wake up occasionally with a very dry mouth. So I set the alarm ON figuring that if it was major-the alarm would go off. Those with lots of experience please let me know if that is correct.

idahogal · Post by **idahogal** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 12:54 pm

I agree that the alarm is beneficial. I have occasional leaks and this alarm has kindly awakened me to let me know there was an issue. I believe that without the alarm I would have never known that I had an issue.

capt · Post by **capt** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 4:20 pm

I know the Respironics and Resmed machines have a leak alarm.

jkeene · Post by **jkeene** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 4:45 pm

I find the alarm useful on my Respironics. If I knock the mask loose, the alarm sounds, my wife hears it, then she wakes me up.

Not sure if SHE likes the alarm

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 5:17 pm

jkeene wrote:I find the alarm useful on my Respironics. If I knock the mask loose, the alarm sounds, my wife hears it, then she wakes me up.

ROTFL. Well. . ., I turned mine OFF because I knew I couldn't hear the high frequencies of the alarm when the card wasn't in properly. This thread has gotten me to reconsider that decision though. My wife wakes me sometimes on leaks anyway, so maybe I should let her wake me when the machine alarms as well. .

Regards,
Bill

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 12:11 am

Thanks for the info and comments. They reinforce my suspicion that Puritan Bennet should have included a leak alarm in the Goodknight series of APAPs. Lately, I have been using an oximeter and have its alarm set to go off on desaturations. Sometimes it has gone off, waking me up when there is a mask leak. I'm sure it would be healthier to catch the leaks before they go long enough to cause saturations, though. I like the GK; but, maybe I should start budgeting for a Resmed or Respironics

Mask

Additional Comments: cpap pressure: 12