Reservoir Stuck

I've been on my first CPAP for about a week - it's not going very well in general just yet, but that's a story for another day. More serious problem for the moment:

It's a ResMed AirSense 10 Autoset, and it's got a removable reservoir for the humidifier feature. Or at least, it's supposed to be removable. As of last night, it wouldn't come out. I was able to use the machine last night because there was still enough water left in it for six hours, but there's definitely not enough left now - and I still can't get the reservoir out of the machine. Basically, at this point I have no hope of using the CPAP without drying out my throat quite badly - and I'm still in the trial phase where I believe my insurance company wants to be able to verify I've used it for six hours a night or else they won't cover it going forward.

Has anybody else experienced this reservoir jam before? I've tried to search for similar problems in the hopes that someone would have found a solution, but I've come up empty. Really hoping you can help. Thanks.

What about using a rubber/silicone jar opener to get a better grip on the humidifier tub and giving it a solid tug?

Is it a snap in fit or is there some type of release button to remove it?

Nozzelnut wrote:What about using a rubber/silicone jar opener to get a better grip on the humidifier tub and giving it a solid tug?

Is it a snap in fit or is there some type of release button to remove it?

Pressing on the middle area on the top of the reservoir is supposed to "release" it, as it does have a minimal snap-in kind of mechanism. If you click through to the machine (should be below in this post), you'll see the sixth photo of the machine pretty clearly displays the clear plastic reservoir with the "button" in the middle of the top.

That's why the jar opener suggestion (while appreciated) won't work. It's not at all that I can't get the proper leverage.

Are the two tank halves locked together correctly? That might prevent the latch from working as per the photos

englandsf wrote:Are the two tank halves locked together correctly? That might prevent the latch from working as per the photos

As near as I am able to tell, yes, they are locked together correctly.

And I thought mine were too... until water was spilling out and I couldn't get the thing back in the machine... and I found out I hadn't put it together properly (diff. machine to yours, but similar problem). It's sometimes hard to tell (mine clicked, but hadn't seated properly).

The tub is only held in by small plastic protrusions in the plastic, really not much holding it in, and that's just a traction pad on the top to give you some grip. It's posible that something like maybe water got between the tub and heat plate and as it evaporated it is causing a bit more adhesion. I am using this machine, and if it was me I'd just give it a stronger tug, it should break free. If you get it out make sure the bottom and heat plate are clean and dry before you put it back in.

There are only two of those small plastic tabs holding it in, they are both on top so you might squeeze the top and bottom halves together while you pull at same time.....the little triangle in this picture, not much too it:

If you manage to get the tub unstuck it might be worth looking in the machine to make sure the outlet connector is in the proper position as the diagram below shows, I am thinking that possibly it's not secured properly and maybe jamming the tub in place, anyway it's worth checking if you get the tub out before you reinsert it:

I wonder if he got it unstuck? Curiosity is getting to me

TangledHose wrote:I wonder if he got it unstuck? Curiosity is getting to me

I didn't. I'll be calling my sleep clinic today for advice. Thanks for caring!

That's too bad.

Well, if you get a chance later shoot us a report here.......you are the first person that has had this problem and we would like to keep track in case this issue pops up again.

One final thought, because the two plastic tabs are on top of the tub the manual does say to gently squeeze the two halves together as you pull it out.........you might try a little downward pressure on the tub as you're pulling since it's only held in at the top.

Good Luck with it.

You could always use the Universal Computer/CPAP Repair Tool . . .

TangledHose wrote:That's too bad.

Well, if you get a chance later shoot us a report here.......you are the first person that has had this problem and we would like to keep track in case this issue pops up again.

One final thought, because the two plastic tabs are on top of the tub the manual does say to gently squeeze the two halves together as you pull it out.........you might try a little downward pressure on the tub as you're pulling since it's only held in at the top.

Good Luck with it.

Thanks, but dude, squeezing and downward pressure are basically all I've been doing for about 48 hours now.

I found that I have to squeeze the end of the tank considerably harder than I would expect;
however, it seems to get better with daily operation.
I also need to place my other hand firmly on top of the unit and wiggle the tank firmly.
When re-inserting the tank, the "click" is barely audible and quite dull.
The strength and acute hearing required may be need to be considered against future use of the line.