The Advantages Of Sharing A CPAP Machine

Sharing a CPAP machine is easy. We get it, we use it. It's always there, available to you whenever you need it. But, did you know that sharing can be dangerous?

It's not just the obvious dangers from sharing a CPAP. There are more subtle ones, too. For instance, did you know that sharing can be potentially deadly? Yes, the air pressure in your face is different than someone else. And while a normal sleep apnea sufferer is fine sharing a machine is very bad for them because their airflow is blocked, making it difficult to breathe at night.

Here's another example... when I'm sharing my CPAP machine in my bedroom the next morning, I sometimes accidentally blow into it instead of onto the paper or into a cup. As if I hadn't already told you, that air pressure is different. So, what happens? It's not good. It's like filling a swimming pool with dirt.

Another danger of sharing a CPAP is related to the machine itself. The seal on the hoses is easily damaged and broken, allowing some air to escape and oxygen to escape too. This causes a pressurized air bubble to form at the end of the hose, which is very dangerous because it's full of oxygen and air and can cause suffocation if the hose is completely closed. So, it's vital that you close the hose after every use.

The most dangerous situation of all when sharing a cpap machine is the air itself. I've seen too many people get severely ill from sharing their machines with other people. It seems that everyone shares the same air in the tank but no one knows how to prevent this from happening. It's almost as if they just fill up the tank up with air and hope that doesn't happen.

There are a few things you can do to prevent this from occurring. Clean the machine after each use. Get the filter clean so that there is nothing clogging it. If possible, don't share the machine with anyone else during the night. It's really not worth the risk.

I think the most important part of this machine that you should be aware of is the warranty. Most companies offer one year warranties on the parts and the machine itself. If it is older than this then it probably won't last as long. I wouldn't recommend saving money for that one year warranty. It is much better to replace the machine before it even makes it through the first year.

Your sleep could depend on these machines. If you have a machine that stops working after just a couple of uses, it's probably time to replace it. Sleep is extremely valuable, and you shouldn't risk it by sharing a CPAP with someone who isn't using the machine properly. Be smart about your sleep!

If you are going to share a CPAP with someone make sure that they are good candidates for the device. Don't share the machine with someone who is overweight or suffering from asthma. They may not need it to the extent that you do. Also, if your sleep partner has any sort of respiratory illness such as hay fever it might be a bad idea to share the machine. Can you use someone else's cpap machine? Click here for a more elaborate insight about this subject matter. 

To familiarize yourself more with this topic, it is best that you check out this post: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positive_airway_pressure.