Diagnosing flow restriction of your air flow

I recently had a problem with my air hose delivering air to my nasal pillows over the last few days. I am making this posting so it shows up in searches.

The problem was that the inner plastic hose had separated from the support coils and could collapse. Upon returning from a weekend trip the inner plastic hose had collapsed and was blocking most of the air flow.

Symptoms:

1. When inhaling I was straining to get air out of the nasal pillows.

2. With my hand over the relief air port, the flow would drop to very low while inhaling.

3. In my sleep I was talking my gear off and realizing it in the morning.

Investigation

1. Checked air filter. I had been meaning to do it, and now I really meant to do it and did it. The filter was dirty, but that wasn't the root cause. The problem with inhaling persisted.

2. I inspected the hose and couldn't see anything. However, the view of the interior of the hose is largely obscured by the coil.

3. With the nasal pillow assembly removed from my head I turned on the machine and notice the flow was low.

4. I removed the CPAP machine from its constricted space and the flow continued to be low even though the tubing was no longer tightly turned.

5. I pressed the tubing where the turn had been very tight and suddenly the flow started. There was a loud sound as the full rush of air went through the line and nasal pillows.

6. Placed back on my head the flow from the relief ports was the same whether I was inhaling or exhaling. I couldn't feel a difference.

Learnings.

1. Avoid very tight turns for the airlines. Though my machine had worked fine with the tight turn over a year, the inner tube separated from the support coils. The sleep companies plan on replacing them at some frequency and so the air lines are probably not designed for durability.

2. Drain the water reservoir while doing this investigation so water doesn't come through the air lines and all over your bed.

3. When working properly you shouldn't feel a difference in the air flow out the relief ports between inhaling and exhaling.

3. The air filter wasn't the cause in this instance. Even though there is an air filter for the bedroom working continuously, the filter was still somewhat gray when replaced. Not sure if this is really an issue.

4. Feel along the tubing to release any collapsed section starting where the tube has been subject to tight turns.

5. This problem can occur when the machine has been moved.

I know after the fact this may seem obvious, but when you are sleep deprived or it is the middle of the night it isn't.

Key words:

tube collapsed restricted air flow

You have called it air hose, tubing, airline and hose. This might be confusing to someone finding your post, so you might want to edit your post and only use one descriptor. It is most commonly called "hose", but "tubing" is also acceptable. See https://www.cpap.com/cpap-hose.php

ChicagoGranny wrote:You have called it air hose, tubing, airline and hose. This might be confusing to someone finding your post, so you might want to edit your post and only use one descriptor. It is most commonly called "hose", but "tubing" is also acceptable. See https://www.cpap.com/cpap-hose.php

indeed, at one point, I thought he was talking about a recent trip on an airplane.

palerider wrote: indeed, at one point, I thought he was talking about a recent trip on an airplane.

I think he did take a flight. He speaks of

the relief air port

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relief_airport

And he offers good advice to pilots who find his post

Avoid very tight turns for the airlines.

The passengers will vomit less.

Uncle Sigh wrote:

palerider wrote: indeed, at one point, I thought he was talking about a recent trip on an airplane.

I think he did take a flight. He speaks of

the relief air port

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relief_airport

And he offers good advice to pilots who find his post

Avoid very tight turns for the airlines.

The passengers will vomit less.

I thought this was a cpap blog, not a travel blog... *scratching head* *looks at cover page again*

Look again.

25,000 hits https://www.google.com/search?q=travel+ ... aptalk.com