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Even before cpap I woke up any time the power went out -- I use a white noise machine, and the 'sound' of everything suddenly going silent would always wake me up. So despite taping (subject of another current thread) I think the sudden-onset silence combined with the beeping of the little power alarm would do a good job of waking me up right away.

1) If you buy something labeled "UPS," it will probably only last a very short period of time. You CAN buy a UPS that is large enough to run your CPAP all night long, but it will take careful research to get the right one and it will probably be expensive. Most UPSs are only designed to keep the computer running long enough to save what you're working on and shutdown gracefully.

2) In theory, if you don't wake up and don't open your mouth, you run some risk of suffocation. Your exhaled air will go back up the hose and out the back of the CPAP machine. When you inhale, most of the air you get will be what you exhaled in the previous breath. Some air will escape out the exhaust vents on the mask, but not enough to keep the air fresh, since the pressure in the mask will be much lower than what the holes are designed for. O2 will get low and CO2 will build up.

Full face masks have an anti-asphyxia valve that opens up when the pressure goes away so that you will breathe fresh air if the machine stops blowing. Nasal masks don't have this, presumably on the theory that you'll open your mouth and breathe through that.

3) Most people report that they wake up almost immediately, but not everyone does.

Thanks, Avi123 for the suggested power outage alarm link. Just bought a $15 alarm which can also substitute as a flashlight. I sleep as if I were dead and had no idea that my oxygen was desaturing to the low 60s. For types like me, I would recommend this devise.

I asked our third party administrator about CPAP "accessories" and was told if the item would only be purchased because one used the CPAP, then it would be covered. Now, a backup battery that had multiple uses would likely be suspect, but things like hose cozies, hose holders, mask wipes, etc. would all be covered.

mnfe wrote:I went through a power outage last winter and woke up right away.

Does anybody know if FSA money can be used to buy a battery backup for CPAP? I have a bunch set aside for dental work for my hubby, but I'm starting to worry that he won't use it by the end of the year. I'd rather buy CPAP gear than lose it.

I have a backup now, but before I did I would always wake up right away when the power went out.

ughwhatname wrote:I asked our third party administrator about CPAP "accessories" and was told if the item would only be purchased because one used the CPAP, then it would be covered. Now, a backup battery that had multiple uses would likely be suspect, but things like hose cozies, hose holders, mask wipes, etc. would all be covered.

mnfe wrote:I went through a power outage last winter and woke up right away.

Does anybody know if FSA money can be used to buy a battery backup for CPAP? I have a bunch set aside for dental work for my hubby, but I'm starting to worry that he won't use it by the end of the year. I'd rather buy CPAP gear than lose it.

Good info. Thank you.

I have a small UPS in my bedroom to power networking equipment. It has an alarm feature if it goes on battery mode.

ughwhatname wrote:I asked our third party administrator about CPAP "accessories" and was told if the item would only be purchased because one used the CPAP, then it would be covered. Now, a backup battery that had multiple uses would likely be suspect, but things like hose cozies, hose holders, mask wipes, etc. would all be covered.

Thanks! If I go this route, I was going to get the Philips battery pack for their CPAPs. It is probably more expensive for what you get than making your own with a deep cycle battery, but it would qualify so that ends up as money saved if I don't spend it on anything else. I figure if it is manufactured by the CPAP company for the CPAP, it's hard to argue it's not for the CPAP.

I personally wake up when the power goes out. I have a deep cycle battery which I use to run the CPAP when the power is out - I originally bought it for a holiday where there was no power - and I just get up, pull out the mains plug*, connect the battery up and go back to bed. The battery wasn't cheap when I bought it, but it has paid for itself, and I have peace of mind as a bonus.

* Disconnecting the mains might not be necessary, but as couldn't find out if it's needed or not, I do it as it's no real effort at all.