trucker using 2 cpap machines

gtgenter · Post by **gtgenter** » Fri Apr 12, 2013 11:01 pm

I'm a trucker so I fall under DOT (dept of transportation) rules. As a trucker I travel a lot and have considered a 2nd cpap unit for taking on the road. Is anyone doing this or have any idea if compliance would be affected by using 2 separate machines data? If this subject is already been addressed please refer me to the proper thread. If not then please provide any feedback or thoughts. My home unit is a PR system one but I have the opportunity of being given a resmed s9. I look forward to any feedback!
Thanks,
Gary

codinqueen · Post by **codinqueen** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 12:02 am

You should definitely jump on that offer! Even if you didn't just want the extra CPAP to take on the road, a lot of people who can afford it or are blessed with a 2nd machine have 2 because they want nothing left to chance, and the fact they have 2 machines just about guarantees they will never be unable to use a CPAP because of any unfortunate circumstances where their usual machine doesn't work for whatever reason. I would love to have a back-up machine in case my CPAP decides not to work some day, but unfortunately I can't afford a 2nd machine. The fact that you have been offered an S-9 makes you very blessed indeed, so go for it!

nanwilson · Post by **nanwilson** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 7:38 am

I use 2 machines as well, but I am not a trucker, my second machine is in my motorhome . Its a heck of a lot easier to not have to bundle up my main equipment and set it up again in the motorhome. There is a full time trucker on the forum, his name is 123.ShawnTW...he also has 2 set ups, one for home and one for his rig. Take a look at his threads and you can interject and ask him what his set up is.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 7:52 am

123.Shawn T.W. · Post by **123.Shawn T.W.** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 8:08 am

Nan, I do have two, but only use one ... Other one is for sale ...

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If the S9 is free ... Get it! But I would use the PR S1 in the truck, here is why https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oi0SJN2bqHk&sns=em

If you choose to use both machines ... And you have a laptop, you could setup a "home" user, and a "truck" user/patient in sleepy head, to prove your useage ...

I don't know what DOT requires, I just use mine every night ... Never been stopped and asked ...

Kenneth P. · Post by **Kenneth P.** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 6:42 pm

requirement is 4 hrs on 5 day's a week.I would check with your company's doc. that you go to for your yearly DOT exam.Wait!!they prob. will not know.It will be the Doc who give's you the cert. compliance letter that you give the DOC.I drive&use to have my on Sleep Doc. that would download my card every year for compliance.Now my company has hired a 3rd party to take care of this&supplies,etc free of charge now.They monitor it by wireless transmitter."Big Brother".but,so far so good.Had no problem's&they stay on top of it&send me anything I need&don't have to wait every 6 month's to reorder supplies.I would figure they would just download 2 card's for compliance

StuUnderPressure · Post by **StuUnderPressure** » Sun Apr 14, 2013 12:46 pm

Would't the compliance requirement be that you use it all of the time & not just while on the road?

If that is the case, using 2 separate machines may not be acceptable - unless they are willing to look at the separate data from both to find that you are in fact using it every night.

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Sun Apr 14, 2013 1:31 pm

This might be a question for a truckers' forum.
I can't imagine two cards and two machines would be a problem unless
some nitwit bean counter wants to make it so.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Sun Apr 14, 2013 1:45 pm

123.Shawn T.W. · Post by **123.Shawn T.W.** » Sun Apr 14, 2013 2:01 pm

Pugsy,

You forgot varing temps, the wind rocking the truck, trains, lot lizards cows bellowing in the trailer next door, stupid dispatchers calling you when your on line two (sleeper birth) or a bad case of the runs from the crappy food the truck stop had ...

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Sun Apr 14, 2013 2:41 pm

StuUnderPressure · Post by **StuUnderPressure** » Sun Apr 14, 2013 2:56 pm

Pugsy wrote:
Would't the compliance requirement be that you use it all of the time & not just while on the road?
I don't think so. Remember "compliance" is generally 4 hours per night for 70% of the nights not 100% of the nights.

So, the compliance for truck drivers is the same as for all of us?

I would have thought their compliance requirements would have been stricter?

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Sun Apr 14, 2013 3:10 pm

Kenneth P. · Post by **Kenneth P.** » Sun Apr 14, 2013 6:08 pm

Hit it right on the head there Pugsy.Yes,the requirement's are there .But, if you really use the machine your compliance will be alot higher.I'm lucky I run local so I'm back in my bed every night.The unknown's is why I came off the road.Sleeping Day/night..Whenever

Pugsy wrote:
StuUnderPressure wrote: So, the compliance for truck drivers is the same as for all of us?

I would have thought their compliance requirements would have been stricter?
Like I said...government and common sense don't go together. Why start now?
Even if it was stricter there are ways to cheat. We aren't the only ones who know how to improve compliance numbers.

I think that most truck driers are going to be like the rest of us that faithfully use our machines. We don't turn them off after 4 hours and go back to sleep (normally)...the truck drivers that want to use their machines will use them more than just 4 hours if they can sleep without the lot lizards and all. They will use them for as long as they can sleep given the circumstances of the job requirements. The ones that don't want to use the machines simply don't use them and hope that they don't get caught.
We have a lot more to fear from those guys than the other guys with 4 or 5 or 6 hours of use per night.

gtgenter · Post by **gtgenter** » Tue Apr 16, 2013 11:31 am

Thanks everybody for all of the input (although the thread seemed to start moving off subject). My last DOT recert physical only seemed concerned that my avg sleep was over 6 hours per night regardless of schedule (lord knows my schedule is messed up). I think that the combined data of the machines would be suitable. I'll go ahead and get the Resmed and will re-post after my next DOT physical. In the meantime you need only post a reply if you're actually using two machines and are a trucker subject to DOT rules.

Thanks again for all the feedback!

Gary

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Additional Comments: Been on machine June 2011,Ruby& Philips Respironic Chinstrap,use the Quattro FX when head is stop'd up.