What do you do with your old machines?

Hi Everyone, I'm a long term surfer of the forum, and wondered what everyone does with their old machines when they upgrade their machines? I now have 3x machines, I usually use 1x permanently at home and 1x for travelling so I don't have to unplug the machine (as I have spares) but as I pay for my machines myself and don't get them free they never get returned.

I've thought of donating the older machines to hospitals or back to the manufacturer as a show case model (ah I have a good heart!) but wondered what everyone else does? I hate to have them gather dust and not be used or worst just throw them away, and I doubt many people would want to buy them as they get their machines through hospitals or health care providers.

What do you do with your machines?

There are several free clinic type places in my area that are always asking for used machines. Maybe you could find one in your area. If you can't maybe you could ship them to me. My next Cardiologist apointment is in 30 days and the free clinic is just around the corner. You would be surprised what people without insurance will take these days and be glad to get it.

You could contact Awake in America--they provide machines and help to low income people who don't have insurance...it is a great organization, and if you are donating your old machines...they would be more than happy to hear from you!!
Also, you could do a search for a gal here, her user name is Junie...she is looking for a machine for her sister who has no insurance. I would try to search her out first, as she was pretty concerned for her sister who really needs a machine .

I understand that Awake In America won't accept machines that are more than three years old. I have set old CPAP machines out on the curb for trash pickup; I need to find out if I can take CPAPs to our county trash transfer station for electronics recycling.

Thanks everyone. I'll see if there are anyone in need of used machines and see about local hospitals / clinics, I'm in the UK so Awake in America probably isn't an option for me.

I watch for people who post on this message board who are in dire financial straits and desperately need a machine. I've given away six machines and many assorted masks over the years.

Since I'm still working on my first machine I can't give you any suggestions! Sorry about that!

I donated a couple of machines and masks to the Reggie White Sleep Foundation. They will take machines older than 3 years old as long as they are in good working order. It's definitely a shame to waste them, particularly since many on this forum probably upgrade from machines that still have plenty of working hours left on them.

I don't have any old machines but intend on using the ones that I have until they fall apart. Having said that it seems that I have been using my S8 Autoset II, have one of the same with pretty much zero hours on it in the closet in its bag and have an Escape II in the cupboard as well in its case. I wonder what is going to happen if the darned thing never fails!

Question: Anyone hear about folks that are agnostic, dyslexic insomniacs? They lay awake all night wondering if there really is a dog.

Sic.

If your CPAPs is in good running condition, i suggest that you sell those through your local Craiglist. I have bought and sold my CPAPs through Craiglist and this media is very useful for people who have no insurance.

Having no inusrance, I waited until there is one CPAP that i like to have getting advertised for sale and then buy this if the price is right. Frequently the price is not realistic (eg 5 years old model being sold for $500) but if you are patient enough there is always opportunity to buy a great used CPAP for less than $300 (example M series A-Flex with humidifier)

rested gal wrote:I watch for people who post on this message board who are in dire financial straits and desperately need a machine. I've given away six machines and many assorted masks over the years.

Wow, six machines, that's wonderful of you rested Gal. I'm in the position now where i have two backups and S8 CPAP and an APAP.

I'm giving my CPAP to my wife friend's husband who lives in the UK, he had a sleep study and was told they do not have any machines left so he would have to buy his own. Hopefully there will be no problem shipping it and getting it through customs in the UK.

I was wondering what to do with the cpap machine referred to as an "auto" that has never worked right for me. I wanted to trade it in for a different model, but was unable to get a trade in from Kaiser since the machine had been used. It is still relatively new, but I guess they figure there can be germs in the machine now, so it is no longer any good to them. I want to have a standby machine in case the first one breaks down.

Also, have any of you used a battery operated cpap for traveling?

Thanks!