Position of machine - high or low - does it matter?

I noticed a reference the other day to the position of the CPAP machine and someone kindly explained to me that it needs to be lower than your head. I currently have mine on a bedside table and it would be level with my head. The hose is hooked up over an old style brass bedhead.
Could someone please explain why it needs to be lower. I don't seem to be having any problems - or maybe I just don't know what I don't know!
Thanks for all the help that everyone seems to willing to give each other.

If you use the humidifier and the machine's higher than your head, you're going to get wet! That's the major reason.

We have the same setup as you and have no problems either but we use the humidifier in passover mode only.

DoriC wrote:We have the same setup as you and have no problems either but we use the humidifier in passover mode only.

Wow, you have an unleavened cpap?

Yes, we keep our machine on top of the matzoh to muffle the sound!

Position is low so that any condensation in the hose drains back into the humidifier.

Caveat: If you have a dog, DON'T place it on the floor near where he/she sleeps. Why? Not because of the propensity for chewing things - but for the possibility of something gaseous being emitted & delivered undiluted directly to your nose!

(No, this didn't happen to me, but it's from a post I read several years ago.)

I don't use a humidifier; I just have to make sure that the machine won't fall on my head if if falls.

DoriC wrote:Yes, we keep our machine on top of the matzoh to muffle the sound!

Shall we discuss the yarmulke as a papcap? Just kidding!!

If you have your hose routed up over your headboard you should not get rainout. Any condensation will drain back down to the humidifer.

I finally broke out the aussie hose for the winter months. I use a humidifier I would definitely not want any possible moisture to travel from the hose to my mask. Probably a non issue with the aussie but I set it up to ensure I wont have a problem if I wish not to use the heat or when I am just using a fleece hose cover in the not so cold months.

snoozysue wrote:I noticed a reference the other day to the position of the CPAP machine and someone kindly explained to me that it needs to be lower than your head. I currently have mine on a bedside table and it would be level with my head. The hose is hooked up over an old style brass bedhead.
Could someone please explain why it needs to be lower. I don't seem to be having any problems - or maybe I just don't know what I don't know!
Thanks for all the help that everyone seems to willing to give each other.

Others have already posted rationale related to the effects of rainout. So long as you route your hose over the top of your headboard or use some form of hose management with the same effect, there is no reason to locate your xpap high or low, .

From my point of view, the reason that it is best to locate your xpap at a level lower than your mattress is to reduce the noise level of the machine. If the mattress is between you and the machine, you will find it quieter. This is more important for older xpaps than for the new ones which are much quieter.

As well, if your machine is located too high, there is always the possibility that you could pull the machine over in the night, onto your head

I never have needed nor used an humidifier. Keeping it higher will decrease the need to change the filter. The air from the floor has many more particles/debris.

My S9 is as high as my head.

Hi SnoozySue

It seems that the setup you have is working fine, so you probably do not need to change it. The way you have your hose configured sounds just right.

cheers

Mars