Tubing Replacment

[Aracas]

Hi Guys,

What is the recommeded / normal amount of time you should replace the tubing from the CPAP to your mask? Obviously I clean it everyday as recommeded but I'm not sure when I should be replacing it.

I currently use the Philips Respironics Flexible Tubing.

Thanks,
Aracas

[Tigers Fan]

Dunno!

Mine has been going for over two years now and shows no sign of failing.

[Aracas]

Thanks Tigers Fan that's really interesting as I have been Googling whilst waiting for a response and the manufacturers recommend replacing every 3 months which seems very excessive!

I'm assuming you've not noticed any degradation or loss of pressure over the two+ years?

[Tigers Fan]

Looks as good as new! no problem at all.

[Aracas]

Thanks TF, I'll keep using the same tube until it breaks or whatever then, will save a lot of money over replacing every 3 months!

[Tigers Fan]

Rain-out

Ho Aracas

The rain-out season is nearly upon us so you might want to consider blowing a lot of that cash you've just saved - £70-ish worth of it - on an Aussi heated hose.

They aren't worth £70 in materials but are well worth every penny in quality of sleep while others are spluttering away.

TF

COme to think of it, my standard hose isn't two years old in terms of usage - for the two winters I've useda heated hose.

[Aracas]

Hey TF,

Thanks for that, I'm of the belief that my System One REMstar Auto CPAP System monitors outside temperature and adjusts to avoid rainout? Correct me if I'm wrong though as would like to avoid Rainout if at all possible!

Cheers,
Aracas

[James @ Intus]

The heated hoses are nearly CE approved and hopefully we'll have them before the cold kicks in.

And yes, the PR System One humidifier units do monitor ambient temperature and humidity as well as air flow to the mask to come to a more informed decision on humidity levels. They're quite cool indeed. We have a fancy graph on them here.

And indeed, tubing lasts longer than masks usually. Replace them when it looks like they need it, or if you want to play safe, every 18 months or so. Every three months isn't very green, just to mention one reason.

[Tigers Fan]

What price, James?

I'm amazed - it's taken so long I thought you must have abandoned the idea.

If it takes this long to get a hose approved, how long for a computer?

TF

[James @ Intus]

Not sure yet, depends on a number of things. And it has taken so long because of the mountain of paperwork involved. The effort people go through to give you guys a comfortable nights' sleep. I mean effort form the Aussie makers, that is.

A computer is easier, as it's been done before. Imagine knocking on the government's door with something that didn't exist before. You have no reference.

[Aracas]

Hi James,

Thanks for the confirmation, I take it therefore a heated hose is irrelevant in my case? Also should I be aiming to have the machine on humidity setting 5 to avoid rainout or will any setting suffice?

Thanks

[James @ Intus]

A heated hose is only irrelevant if you don't have rainout.

And the higher you crank up the humidifier settings, the warmer it gets in the tube. If the room temperature doesn't also go up, you then get a greater temperature differential which increases the chance of rainout. SO the opposite is true. Have the humidifier at its lowest possible setting that gives you enough comfort to get through the night.

You can also consider fleece tube wraps, or keeping your hose under the duvet. A hose lift is also reported to help against rainout as the air droplets struggle to travel up so far. And if you keep the machine lower than your head, most condensation will drop back towards the machine.

[Tigers Fan]

Snaking your hose sinuously around your partner's leg would help - not necessarily encouraging sleep, however.

[Aracas]

Lol my partner still wont sleep in the same room even using the APAP so that's not an option

[acebass]

hose cosy!

You can also consider fleece tube wraps

Hmmm...I bought one of these a few years ago for about £9 (In nice boring Navy Blue, a company in Canada did them in about 30 different colours but wouldn't ship them to the UK!!) after eventually getting it onto the tube (they're quite snug), it was actually quite comfortable, but a real pain in the butt to get off again to clean the hose!!!

So it is relegated to the bedroom drawer...