Help me remember how to test my machine's pressure

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Country4ever
Posts: 1373
Joined: Wed Oct 31, 2007 6:22 pm

Help me remember how to test my machine's pressure

Post by Country4ever » Fri Mar 16, 2018 10:06 am

I tested my cpap machine a couple years ago, to make sure it was putting out the pressure it was set for. But I totally forget how I did it. I think it involve a container of water and maybe a ruler??
I've been having a lot of physical problems for awhile, and started wondering if it was not putting out the right pressure.

Also......while I have you here.........I've also noticed that I can retrieve my AHI, leak rate, etc. any time of day on the main screen. It used to be erased by noon. Does that mean anything that it isn't erased by noon any more?
Thanks.

_________________
MachineMask
Additional Comments: Resmed HumidAir 11 for humidifier

D.H.
Posts: 3467
Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2016 7:07 pm

Re: Help me remember how to test my machine's pressure

Post by D.H. » Fri Mar 16, 2018 3:30 pm

You did not say what type of machine this is, nor is it in your profile (at the time I'm writing this).

Also, you can check what the setting is, but you might also want to test that what is set is actually being delivered.

_________________
MachineMask
Additional Comments: Auto PAP; 13.5 cmH2O min - 20 cmH2O max

TedVPAP
Posts: 974
Joined: Sat Jun 12, 2010 10:29 am

Re: Help me remember how to test my machine's pressure

Post by TedVPAP » Fri Mar 16, 2018 4:08 pm

Use hose to form a tall u. Add some water. Note level. Turn on pressure. Water level goes down by x and goes up by x. Pressure equals 2x.

_________________
Machine: DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: AutoPAP 16-20, Ultimate Chin Strap http://sleepapneasolutionsinc.com/
Use data to optimize your xPAP treatment:
how to see your data https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead
how to present your data https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead/shorganize
how to post your data https://sleep.tnet.com/reference/tips/imgur

User avatar
Dog Slobber
Posts: 3954
Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2018 2:05 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

Re: Help me remember how to test my machine's pressure

Post by Dog Slobber » Fri Mar 16, 2018 7:40 pm

Here's a Youtube video that shows how to test the actual pressure without filling your tube with much water.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcBDu8dKgLk

I've never tried it, perhaps one of the more experienced members could comment on it's accuracy.

TedVPAP
Posts: 974
Joined: Sat Jun 12, 2010 10:29 am

Re: Help me remember how to test my machine's pressure

Post by TedVPAP » Fri Mar 16, 2018 8:45 pm

Dog Slobber wrote:
Fri Mar 16, 2018 7:40 pm
Here's a Youtube video that shows how to test the actual pressure without filling your tube with much water.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcBDu8dKgLk

I've never tried it, perhaps one of the more experienced members could comment on it's accuracy.
Yes - good method. Measure distance from water level outside of hose to inside of hose. Exactly the same as U tube method. Distance between the two levels equals pressure.
The only downside versus using a U tube is you will need a deep bucket if you are trying to measure large pressure.

_________________
Machine: DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: AutoPAP 16-20, Ultimate Chin Strap http://sleepapneasolutionsinc.com/
Use data to optimize your xPAP treatment:
how to see your data https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead
how to present your data https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead/shorganize
how to post your data https://sleep.tnet.com/reference/tips/imgur

Country4ever
Posts: 1373
Joined: Wed Oct 31, 2007 6:22 pm

Re: Help me remember how to test my machine's pressure

Post by Country4ever » Sat Mar 17, 2018 2:31 pm

Thanks everyone. I'll give it a try.

_________________
MachineMask
Additional Comments: Resmed HumidAir 11 for humidifier

Country4ever
Posts: 1373
Joined: Wed Oct 31, 2007 6:22 pm

Re: Help me remember how to test my machine's pressure

Post by Country4ever » Sun Mar 18, 2018 12:33 pm

Okay, I'm back. Maybe I just don't understand ....but I tried it, and when I turned the machine on, water bubbled up so violently, that there was no way to see the ruler. When I watched the You Tube.....he didn't show any bubbling. What am I doing wrong? He was only working with 4cm of pressure.......so it probably doesn't bubble as much. Hmmm....Am I supposed to see the machine to 4cm and then just assume that all the other pressures are correct?

_________________
MachineMask
Additional Comments: Resmed HumidAir 11 for humidifier

User avatar
Jas_williams
Posts: 1120
Joined: Tue Dec 19, 2017 2:12 pm
Location: Somerset UK

Re: Help me remember how to test my machine's pressure

Post by Jas_williams » Sun Mar 18, 2018 1:05 pm

What’s your pressure range ?

_________________
Mask: Bleep DreamPort CPAP Mask Solution
Additional Comments: Using sleepyhead and a pressure of 6 - 21 Resmed S9 Adapt SV with a Bleep Sleep Mask

Country4ever
Posts: 1373
Joined: Wed Oct 31, 2007 6:22 pm

Re: Help me remember how to test my machine's pressure

Post by Country4ever » Sun Mar 18, 2018 3:44 pm

It's a straight 10cm.

_________________
MachineMask
Additional Comments: Resmed HumidAir 11 for humidifier

User avatar
Mikebear
Posts: 132
Joined: Sat Dec 16, 2017 3:58 pm
Location: Mid-Michigan

Re: Help me remember how to test my machine's pressure

Post by Mikebear » Sun Mar 18, 2018 3:53 pm

Country4ever wrote:
Sun Mar 18, 2018 3:44 pm
It's a straight 10cm.
Then your bucket must be deeper than that, or it's going to all bubble out.

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Pressures = 10 CmH20 - 13 CmH20 EPR 2. COPD, Asthma, 30lbs overweight. Airsense 10 AutoSet

TedVPAP
Posts: 974
Joined: Sat Jun 12, 2010 10:29 am

Re: Help me remember how to test my machine's pressure

Post by TedVPAP » Sun Mar 18, 2018 5:19 pm

To measure a pressure of 10cm-H2O using the bucket method you need to the have the tube's end more than 10cm below the bucket's water level. Tube end should be deep enough so that bubbles don't come out.

If you want to use the "U" tube method;
shape the tube into a tall tube,
add water so that the water level is over 5 cm from the bottom (add a foot or so as it doesn't matter as long as it is deep enough),
turn on machine and the distance between water level in the tube should be 10 cm. If you didn't add enough water the water will blow out.

_________________
Machine: DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: AutoPAP 16-20, Ultimate Chin Strap http://sleepapneasolutionsinc.com/
Use data to optimize your xPAP treatment:
how to see your data https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead
how to present your data https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead/shorganize
how to post your data https://sleep.tnet.com/reference/tips/imgur

User avatar
Wulfman...
Posts: 6688
Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2014 6:41 pm
Location: Nearest fishing spot

Re: Help me remember how to test my machine's pressure

Post by Wulfman... » Sun Mar 18, 2018 5:22 pm

Country4ever wrote:
Sun Mar 18, 2018 3:44 pm
It's a straight 10cm.
Please check your private messages.

Den

.
(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05