If your XPAP breaks at 10pm tonight, do you have a backup?

I think mine would- they are part of respiratory service-

a few months ago my daughter and new grandson were visiting-
he was about 6 months old and had [ we thought ]bad cold- cutting teeth,
and it turns out a bad ear infection and possible pneumonia

anyhow- we ended up in ER at 2 AM- the baby was really sick-
we were scared- he was spiking fever and getting listless

enough of his illness- bottom line was they gave him nebulizer treatment in ER-
Doc said if you have nebulizer at home OK- other wise we admit baby-
so we called my DME- at 230 AM and by the time we got home the
nebulizer was being delivered!!!

so they have an on call person there- I will check but I would bet
they would get me a backup cpap

I broke a mask a while ago [ suitcase accident]
they gave me one to use till new one showed up

so in central WI - if I needed it- I would call and get one to use
Ministry Respiratory Service in
Stevens Point there are good companies out there

Packer

I AM with SMUD, but here is a quote from PG&E's site. The key phrase is
"but is not limited to:"

Life-support equipment includes, but is not limited to:

* Respirators
* Iron lungs
* Hemodialysis machines
* Suction machines
* Electric nerve stimulator
* Pressure pads and pumps
* Aerosol tents
* Electrostatic and ultrasonic nebulizers
* Compressors
* Intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) machines
* Motorized wheelchairs

IF I called the local Electric company and got that answer, I would call my local member of the "board" for that utility. That is IF you have a "Board of Supervisors". I would ask that person what the policies are for helping people on life support, then email them a copy of the PG&E and SMUD criteria. If you are in Missouri, you might try the St. Louis and Kansas City, MO. electric companies. See if THEY have a program.

They are coming out with new machines for newly found diseases every day AND the term "Life Support" is changing too.

SNM, the least expensive way to provide for backup power is the inverter and Deep Cycle Battery. You are welcome to PM me if you like and I can cover this in more detail. One member of this forum lives on the East Coast, they told me the city and I found the items on sale for them. The web makes it easier. Another great thing about an inverter is that it is quiet.

I have my old straight CPAP Solo LX in the closet.

I have a 5000 watt generator in my garage which I will be converting to natural gas/propane this summer. I usually leave it sit too long with gas in it and crud up the carb and then it's a devil to get started. So... replacing card with fuel converter and no more gasoline.

Yardbird, STA-BIL is cheaper.....it might rescue your gas supply

Generators and Inverters seem like poor investments for CPAP backup. Almost all CPAP equipment will run on 12 Volts and with a simple dc power cord ($25) and a deep cycle battery ($60) you get much more backup time and the efficiency is much better than an inverter. You have to use the inverter if you must use the humidifier during backup service, though. My generator uses about 1/2 gallon per hour of operation (5600 watt) or $20 gas per night if you can sleep with a generator running and have no neighbors (I don't).

WW, I agree with you in principle, but our SV machine says 24 V, DC 3.0 Amps on the bottom. I am not sure about the others. AND I totally agree with you a gasoline powered generator is not very efficient. Most people might have other uses than just an XPAP for their generator.

The HH says 100-240 V ~ 50/60 Hz AC 1.70 A max.

I KNOW, without question, if I plug my unit into an inverter putting out 110 Volts AC, both will run. They do it every night.

IF I plug a 12 volt cigarette lighter plug into a 12 volt outlet, like in our car, neither unit will run unless your line from the cigarette lighter has an inverter in it. You could run two 12 volt DC batteries in series to get 24 volts DC, but ... why do that? IF you bought the Respironics 12 volt connector, it should work. I have not seen this unit and in fact am not sure it is sold, but other than that, or some special wiring of batteries which would have to include an inverter for the HH, I don't see how that would work.

I just had my second Root Canal an hour ago, so I may be missing something here.

Please explain how a typical Walmart 12 volt cigarette lighter plug, with 2 wires coming out, would be able to do it?

Since I know I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer today, please help me out.

Machines that require 24 volts, such as your SV machine, are highly unusual. The very vast majority of CPAPs that will run off of DC require 12 volts.

You can build a 24 volt battery by putting two 12 volt batteries in series; the resulting battery string would be charged using a 24 volts charger. In order to power it from a single car battery, you will have to use an inverter and use your regular power cord, or find a 12 volt to 24 volt converter. It is possible that Respironics makes a 12 to 24 volt converter with cigarette lighter plug for it.

Dave,

Just came onto this thread...

"DSM -- you are running an SV --- what is YOUR backup plan? We have some RTs on here who are pretty smart, along with SW, RG, Nighthawk and others whose nickname escape me at the moment.

I tried setting my SV up like an ST with a prescribed number of breaths per minute. I tried "practicing" 12 breaths per minute and even slept with my machine on 12 breaths per minute -- Apnea rate of 47.2, so I am not doing well with that idea. I can buy an ST used a lot cheaper than an SV, but the opiates have severely limited my mental discipline. "

**********************

I am luckier than you in that my SV is not to ventilate me in the event I stop breathing as you do, it just makes sure that I keep a healthy peak airflow & it is doing this exceedingly well.

I have gathered weeks of data from the machine & am very very surprised at how consistently it goes up o or near IpapMax in the night (typically about 16 times on average). In fact my av Ipap is at 16 even though I was titrated for 12.

As for the results - thus far am far more alert, sleeping better than ever, short term memory & concentration are higher than I can recall for many months. In fact I am becoming increasingly convinced that SV as delivered by the BiapSV is what a lot more people really need, esp anyone who goes into shallow or slow breathing or gets nasal congestion a lot. This mamma delivers. I really look forward to going to bed & now do so early than I used to as I enjoy the night's sleep so much, plus wake up alert & ready to go.

But, as mentioned, I have become very convinced of the theraputic benefit of this type of machine & so I just purchased a Vpap Adapy SV as a back up & also to compare. It is the earlier model Adapt but am certain its max PS of 16 CMS will be ok even though I have my Bipap SV set at IpapMax of 20 CMS.

So while I was not really worried about a back up plan (well I do have a Resmed Vantage that I have handy, mainly for travel), I am now with what I consider to be the best therapy devices for cpap and that seem to be producing the best results I have had that I can recall.

The SpO2 data I now gather shows a noticeable improvement over past data prior to using the SV machine. The main thing I notice is that the SpO2 level is on average, 1 or 2 points higher than previously but in particular remains very consistent through the entire night plus the heart rate is also more consistent & steady throughout the night.

If I lost my SV machine in the night, as of the past month, I would fret if I had to revert to even my trusty ols PB330 S/T machine.

So my plan is to have a standby SV machine. In time I'll chose one as my primary (that may become the Adapt SV as my wife is unhappy with the drone from the Bipap SV while it doesn't bother me a bit).

If my improved therapy results prove consistent over 6+ months, I'll be singing the praises of these type machines from the rooftops.

DSM

I have access to six AGM Batteries. Four are Lifeline Golf Cart type at 6 volts each and two AGM are 12 volts each. I could easily have a 24 volt system, but it simplifies all for me to use the inverter I already own.

As for the backup to the SV if it fails at 2am. I see CPAP Auction has one for sale right now (or had one for sale). I might try that. But I can also sell my Old Chevy truck and buy a new SV for $3499, with HH.

That would relieve my concerns, but I have the Respironics BiPap Auto here and it can be set up as a CPAP with a titration of ???? EPAP 15 and IPAP of 25?

DSM, I mentioned this in an earlier post. I have since experimented more with the SV vs the BiPap Auto. 10cmH2O on the SV vs 10 cmH2O on the standard BiPap Auto does NOT feel the same. The SV feels like the air flow is at least twice as strong in flow rate, tidal volume, etc. --- yet they are both set on 10 cmH2O. Any ideas on that one??

I have a backup machine, my ResMed Elite, the first machine I got a couple of years ago. We also have a generator that's never been used (a Honda, still in the box). But, in case of a short term/middle of the night power outage, say for a few hours, I SURE wouldn't go out to gas up and crank the generator. I think I need to get a battery backup system, just in case. Just decided to order it now.

I've decided on the C222 Super CPAP Battery Pack, just emailed cpap.com to ask if they'll price match the one here--thinking they probably will. I'd rather get it from cpap.com since I order everything from them. It's $450 at cpap.com, $399 here:
http://www.cpapdiscountstore.com/catalo ... p-709.html
Update: cpap.com priced matched, got the C222 Super CPAP Battery Pack for $399, no s/h! Thanks, cpap.com!!

[quote="dllfo"]I have access to six AGM Batteries. Four are Lifeline Golf Cart type at 6 volts each and two AGM are 12 volts each. I could easily have a 24 volt system, but it simplifies all for me to use the inverter I already own.

As for the backup to the SV if it fails at 2am. I see CPAP Auction has one for sale right now (or had one for sale). I might try that. But I can also sell my Old Chevy truck and buy a new SV for $3499, with HH.

That would relieve my concerns, but I have the Respironics BiPap Auto here and it can be set up as a CPAP with a titration of ???? EPAP 15 and IPAP of 25?

DSM, I mentioned this in an earlier post. I have since experimented more with the SV vs the BiPap Auto. 10cmH2O on the SV vs 10 cmH2O on the standard BiPap Auto does NOT feel the same. The SV feels like the air flow is at least twice as strong in flow rate, tidal volume, etc. --- yet they are both set on 10 cmH2O. Any ideas on that one??

IPAPMAX?? Back to the manuals. If I read that, I have forgotten it. That would explain it. When I first got it, I noticed immediately that the SV was a LOT faster. I tried to explain to my wife that when I used to inhale deeply with the Respironics BiPap Auto, I felt like I was dragging the machine behind me.

With the SV, it is like lighting the afterburner, this machine not only can keep up with me, but it has the incredible ability to .... match what I need? Example,
I will make up some numbers. My brain tells my body I need a pressure of
25cmH2O and my machine is currently at 15 cmH2O. As I inhale the SV not only keeps up with me, but somehow does NOT get ahead of what I needing.
I am not sure I said that well. It almost has to be experienced to understand what I am trying to say.

It sounds like we are in agreement the Respironics BiPap Auto will not be enough for me in an emergency. I can try to stay awake until the next day or go to the Emergency Room at the Hospital. They do not have an SV at most hospitals, so they would probably set me up on a machine based on a set number of breaths per minute. Apnea rate of 47+ last time I did that.

I wonder if Medicare requires DMEs to keep a certain percentage of machines on hand to "back up" Ventilators?

Anyone with Apria will be up a creek.

[quote="dllfo"]IPAPMAX?? Back to the manuals. If I read that, I have forgotten it. That would explain it. When I first got it, I noticed immediately that the SV was a LOT faster. I tried to explain to my wife that when I used to inhale deeply with the Respironics BiPap Auto, I felt like I was dragging the machine behind me.

With the SV, it is like lighting the afterburner, this machine not only can keep up with me, but it has the incredible ability to .... match what I need? Example,
I will make up some numbers. My brain tells my body I need a pressure of
25cmH2O and my machine is currently at 15 cmH2O. As I inhale the SV not only keeps up with me, but somehow does NOT get ahead of what I needing.
I am not sure I said that well. It almost has to be experienced to understand what I am trying to say.

It sounds like we are in agreement the Respironics BiPap Auto will not be enough for me in an emergency. I can try to stay awake until the next day or go to the Emergency Room at the Hospital. They do not have an SV at most hospitals, so they would probably set me up on a machine based on a set number of breaths per minute. Apnea rate of 47+ last time I did that.

I wonder if Medicare requires DMEs to keep a certain percentage of machines on hand to "back up" Ventilators?

Anyone with Apria will be up a creek.

I agree. The SV is incredible. Ask yourself this DSM, how can my lungs stand 30 cmH2O for up to 30 minutes? I have had two people in my Pulmonologist's office (one a doctor) ask me about that level of pressure, especially for what
APPEARS to be a long time. Didn't it hurt? I told both of them no. I was asleep and did not feel it. We even considered, as you must have, that the machine malfunctioned in some way and I really wasn't hitting 30cmH2O, except I have hit that pressure on all 3 SV units.

I have even TRIED to make it hit 30 while I was awake and watching but it will not do it. Quite a design coup.

As for the Adapt SV, does it have the same "auto setting" for breaths per minute? That is critical for me.

I have tried to ascertain exactly what the difference is .... and I would tend to agree with you, Resmed makes good equipment and if it has the same capabilities as the Respironics SV, that would be good. I can get the Resmed on sale more often than the SV.

Plan B is that I buy a new SV. I have been looking and the cheapest SV I have found is $3,499 USD (with HH) and that is from a DME with full warranty. BUT I would really like to know the REAL differences between the Adapt SV SV and the Respironics SV. I am considering a credit card that charges zero interest the first year AND will double my warranty. There are a few like that, but I have tossed them in the past.

Another miracle of this machine is that my hips are causing too much pain to sleep on my side, so I have been sleeping on my back. The SV is working great. I am not sure how many machines will allow me to sleep on my back.
I never slept on my back --- ever. The SV handles it well.

No end to the good deals huh??

Dave,

Yes another very interesting aspect of the BipapSV (and I assume the Vpap AdaptSV) is that I can again sleep on my back & when my breathing drops as it usually will in that position the SV ups CMS and pushes the air in within 1 breath.

The issue with the Vpap AdaptSV is that the older model only goes to a max of 16 CMS whereas the Bipap SV will go to a whopping 30 CMS.

The new Vpap AdaptSV goes up to either 19 or 20 (banned will know) also I posted the data in a long thread comparing the 2 machines.

This difference is one aspect I am really interested in comparing.

The Bipap SV provides very useful data but the older Vpap AdaptSV doesn't provide much (if any). The new Vpap AdaptSV model does but I am not really clear what it includes but I think it will give an AHI now.

As for you going to 30 CMS - I still image your mask hovering 2 inches off you face like an alien spacecraft wanting to land

DSM