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WillSucceed wrote:There has been lots of debate about this dump/don't dump humidifier issue on this forum. ]

Is "dump" Canadian speech and "empty" General American?

To empty the tank, one has to dump it. How's that?

Do you dump pop? Empty soda? Empty pop? Dump soda?

Oops, wrong thread! .

Just a little word to stick up for my colleague WillSucceed here...

First of all, I think some people who don't feel it is worth the trouble to clean their humidifiers might have gotten a little defensive. But no one is attacking you if you don't want to do the cleaning. Focusing on shrinks is a little off topic, although I enjoyed the threads about sibling trauma and can relate to that kind of humour.

I want to clarify that WillSuceed (and myself) are social workers not psychiatrists/shrinks. We are trained in counselling not medical science. We don't slap people with psychiatric labels (thankfully that if done by the doctors) and we tend as a profession to be very caring, supportive and client-centered in our work.We get paid less than half of what shrinks get and we usually spend 10 times as much time with each client.

Good social work involves ensuring that people are making well-informed choices while respecting their autonomy and rights to make their own choices. I see WillSucceed and many others on this thread caring enough to want to inform others of the risks in not cleaning their humidifiers. Another principle of good social work is harm reduction. Maybe with some education and encouragement some people will clean a bit more often and be a bit safer as a result.


~ OTB

Hi Oh 2 breathe,

Just finished reading this thread from start to finish - had a lot of time on my hands! Anyway, thought you made a really good post and felt that yours would be a great one to end it.

However, with all the great thoughts and ideas put forth, I was wondering if there could ever be a simple solution to satisfy all needs. For example. a quick sure fire way of eliminating any kind biological threat which would allow the addition of water every day without the need to extract/dump/empty the remnants of the night before.

Things that come to mind are:

- a purifier pill similar to those used for making tainted water drinkable

- some kind of filter on the chamber where the hose attaches

- a creepy crawler in the chamber similar to pool cleaners that would suck up and kill all germs

- a germ killing kind of light source, flip the switch and they all die

- do away with the water chamber as we know it and actually boil the water utilizing the steam for humidification. This would entail a cycling heat source and a mechanism to capture the steam while dispensing it directly into the air hose on a variable measured basis. Don't they sell these at Walmart for $9.95, sometimes on special for $7.49?

- finally, how about a can of condensed water you simply attach to the special heating adapter on your hose with humidification dispensed in measured amounts. Recycle the can when the contents have been dumped/emptied/extracted after 30 days.

Bob F

PS - How easy is it anyway to combine 2 molecules of hydrogen and 1 molecule of oxygen. Hey, this is opening up a whole new train of thought.

an ultraviolet light source if shone on the tank for 5 minutes would take care of any biologicals in the tank. Using distilled water makes it far less likely to have anything undesirable in there.

For a little extra safety, how about one of these. Made by Respironics, connects right to the outlet of the humidifier tank, then your hose connects to it:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/In-lin ... bipap.html

PS You might have to drag this link onto another browser, for some strange reason it fails when you click on it.

Cheers,
BP

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): respironics, humidifier, hose

I guess it looks good, but would depend on how long it lasts. If its a few months or more I might consider it. But for now, i'll top off my chamber and pay more attention to keeping mask clean. But I also have stopped the heated part, just using passover. Wonder what thats means as far as breedibg bacteria. I also leave my hose connected, which keeps chamber sealed.

I've read that these inline filters should not be used with an auto machine. HEPA (High-efficiency particulate air) will not filter out most biologics.


[quote="BP"]For a little extra safety, how about one of these. Made by Respironics, connects right to the outlet of the humidifier tank, then your hose connects to it:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/In-lin ... bipap.html

PS You might have to drag this link onto another browser, for some strange reason it fails when you click on it.

Cheers,
BP

They do call it a "Bacteria Filter", although I'm not sure I buy that either.

And as to not using it with autos, there are several nasal masks, including the much used Aura, which also say don't use with autos. Not to mention passover humidifier's like the new Remstar by Respironics, whcih is an updated LX if I'm not mistaken.

I guess I'm getting cynical but most of that stuff is just cya imho. I'll bet over 50% of Aura users are using it with autos, including myself.

Cheers,
BP

Very imaginative and downright impressive solutions, but most of them seem like a lot more hassle than rinsing out a humidifier for 30 seconds with hot water and a couple of drops of baby shampoo each morning. I like to keep it simple.

~ OTB

Lazyness never entered into the discussion here. Preferences were. I and many others don't feel the need to get over excited about cleaning their humidifier everyday. In my post I ssaid I top it off a few times and then let it run dry. I also take mine apart and clean it with vinegar and water regularly. But to be honest I don't fret about it that much.

We also get off topic a lot on this forum and that is what makes it special. We are also a community. We always have and always will.

I don't recall anyone directing any attacks at WS, several did have a different point of view, some were from science oriented people. But...and as I believe WS has said...that open discussion of opposing points of view is what makes us all learn and cope with our illness. It's a healthy thing. IMHO

I enjoy lots of banter, a good debate, some gentle teasing and even taking a bit of a scenic route with discussion topics as well. That's what builds community. I just like to keep things friendly and supportive.

I wish you all the best in exercising your preferences. May you enjoy a long, happy and healthy life!

~ OTB

Not sure what you meant by "THE END". The end of what?

Is this a trick or something? neversleeps usually takes at least 4 or 5 posts before she finally gives up thinking it was the end of something. Are you telling us there is no future in the humidification field? Has this thread just been too "watered down" for you. Please give it some time for the fog to evaporate so you can get a clear view of the possible alternatives!

Bob F

PS - did you use a Q-tip to get all the gunge out of the area around the portal that connects to the hose? I'm told that even with detergent washing and soaking in a vinegar solution there is still harmful crud left behind. Now what can we do about that? Do you have any suggestions?