Broken CPAP hose - can I duct tape it as a stopgap?

Hello everyone!

I'm new to these forums and to CPAP. I have a CPAP machine that I have been using for about a month now. I'm still within the window where the insurance company requires a minimum amount of compliance, so I have to use it regularly, nearly every night. Today as I was going to clean my machine, the hose broke. The plastic tubing came detached from the plastic connector end.

I have ordered a new hose and paid for overnight shipping, but I won't get it until Wednesday, leaving me two nights with a broken hose. As a stop-gap measure, can I duct tape the hose back together for a night or two so I can still use my machine? Any chance I could break anything or do any harm to myself by duct taping the hose? Also, if I do this can I still run the humidifier?

Thanks. Any help would be appreciated.

Go ahead, we all do it, and the humidifier won't matter either unless the tape is no good.

Or maybe try this stuff:

http://notaglue.com/

Watch the videos on youtube to get an idea how it works.

The brand name duck tape has less odor than some of the generics.
You would notice late at night.

I'd try electrical tape if you have it handy. More flexible and form fitting.

There's a trick with electrical tape. Stretch it out about 20% or more by hand before wrapping it around something. Then it will sort of shrink to fit once installed.

Take it back to your supplier have the replace it, they should have about 100 on hand.

NEVER, pull on the hose to remove it, grab hold of the hose connecter end, and rock it as you pull it, it will walk right off. Hoses, act like that Chinese you handcuffs you had in grade school the harder you pull the tighter it grips.

Always have spares for everything, foil "Murphy's Law", before he can lock you up. Jim

BMR777 wrote:Hello everyone!

I'm new to these forums and to CPAP. I have a CPAP machine that I have been using for about a month now. I'm still within the window where the insurance company requires a minimum amount of compliance, so I have to use it regularly, nearly every night. Today as I was going to clean my machine, the hose broke. The plastic tubing came detached from the plastic connector end.

I have ordered a new hose and paid for overnight shipping, but I won't get it until Wednesday, leaving me two nights with a broken hose. As a stop-gap measure, can I duct tape the hose back together for a night or two so I can still use my machine? Any chance I could break anything or do any harm to myself by duct taping the hose? Also, if I do this can I still run the humidifier?

Thanks. Any help would be appreciated.

You're finding out why we recommend having spares of just about everything for this therapy.

I also agree with not pulling on the hose itself to remove it.......grip the ends.

If it's not completely broken, I'd recommend the electrical tape (previously suggested) if you have any handy and then using a sufficient amount to keep it from leaking. It's probably a little more flexible than duct/duck tape.


Den

.

Thanks everyone, all the replies are helpful. I'm going to try a tape job and see if it will hold. Getting a spare hose also sounds like a good idea.

Anyone know if I can use a standard hose with the Resmed S9? I was told it needs a non standard slimline hose, which seems to cost 3x a regular hose.

Any hose will work with the S9.
If you are changing sizes, set that size in the machine.

Thanks. That's good to know. Didn't knowthere was a setting to change.

Glad sandwich wrap and rubber bands can make a temporary mend also.

BMR777 wrote:Thanks everyone, all the replies are helpful. I'm going to try a tape job and see if it will hold. Getting a spare hose also sounds like a good idea.

Anyone know if I can use a standard hose with the Resmed S9? I was told it needs a non standard slimline hose, which seems to cost 3x a regular hose.

If you're not using a heated hose, any brand of hose will do, i.e. Respironics, ResMed, or generic. Actually, any brand will still work, but you won't get heat on your hose. The S9 machines have a setting for regular or slimline hose, but it will probably still work pretty well with the wrong hose size.

You may need to go into the secret clinical setup menu to change the "tubing" type. See the Useful Links in my signature line at the bottom of this post to get the manual. If you have a heated hose, it is automagically detected and will be set correctly no matter the menu setting.

Only ResMed S9 heated hoses will work on S9 machines. Even ResMed A10 hoses won't work on an S9 machine.

There's a trick to disconnecting hoses. Also shown in my Useful Links.

Please fill in the equipment type on your profile. There's a link below to help with this.

Gasper62 wrote:Glad sandwich wrap and rubber bands can make a temporary mend also.

Someone who thinks like me! I've used everything from medical tape to plumbing stop-leak tape. Just realized that that when i brag about how long I use my supplies I fail to mention they often have been reinforced.

In my opinion, there is no reason to disconnect the hose. My hose has been connected to my S9 for as long as I have had it (15 months). The end that goes to the mask has a plastic connector. Obviously, I never clean my hose.....use distilled water exclusively.

LSAT wrote:In my opinion, there is no reason to disconnect the hose. My hose has been connected to my S9 for as long as I have had it (15 months). The end that goes to the mask has a plastic connector. Obviously, I never clean my hose.....use distilled water exclusively.

It's your choice not to wash your hose. Most of us do. How squeaky clean stuff is depends on your tolerance and home conditions. Do I wash my hose every week? No. Yes, it's your opinion, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it to newbies. That said, we never wash the inside of the machine, so your thoughts aren't exactly Out There.