Where to mount a CPAP?

**ShrimpBurrito** · 12-23-2014, 10:36 AM

We are going to have some folks stay with us over the holidays, and they will be sleeping in the back bed. One of them uses a CPAP, and I'm told it must be mounted at or below their head level. Initially, I thought I would just fold down the bathroom walls and rest the CPAP there, but their preference is that this person sleeps "on the left", when looking down at the bed. Thus, the hose would end up draping over the other person.

Sleeping in the other direction, I guess I could either remove the wardrobe (PITA) and put it on the shelf, or maybe just remove the wardrobe door and rest it in there.

Anyone come up with a better solution?

Thanks,
Dave

rvcycleguy · 12-23-2014, 11:15 AM

Since the bed is a queen and must sleep perpendicular to the TM, what is the head end? If the curb side, can you just add an 10ft extension cord to the plug next to stove top under the counter, and then place the CPAP next to the person using it? If its the other side, then run an extension from the bathroom plug under the sink counter.

**Bill** · 12-23-2014, 11:47 AM

If the "head end" of the bed is the street side, how about putting it in one of the drawers below the wardrobe? I don't know how big a CPAP is, or how long its hose is, but if it is taller than a drawer, how about putting it in the middle drawer and removing the top drawer? This would keep it captive nicely.

If the head end of the bed is the end near the toilet (and I don't know why it would be), could you run the hose against the wall and into the shower, and hang the CPAP somewhere in the shower? Hang it from the towel bar, from the lower end of the shower hose, or make up a long hanger and hang it from the top of the wall.

Bill

rvcycleguy · 12-23-2014, 01:05 PM

From my experience Bill, you don't hang the CPAP. The system uses water in a small tank to keep the air flow humid like so as to not dry out the lungs of the user. That would require it to be level placement. The drawer placement is probably the best idea for it. I've traveled with one in the past but with our King bed, there is plenty of room to place it against the TM wall next to the user provided we use an extension cord. The hose is only about 6ft long.

Padgett · 12-23-2014, 01:13 PM

I would suggest the cabinet under the bed, possibly with the door removed. That has pleanty of room and, at least on mine, there is a plug by the converter for both 110vac and 12vdc.

rvcycleguy · 12-23-2014, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Padgett

I would suggest the cabinet under the bed, possibly with the door removed. That has pleanty of room and, at least on mine, there is a plug by the converter for both 110vac and 12vdc.

Its the CPAP hose that will limit how far you place the machine from the user. As I recall, its only 6ft in length, so if you used the cabinet under the bed, the hose would have to be nearly extended and that makes a difficult experience for the user to turn away and over at night and sleep near the edge of the bed. Also, if there is a sleep partner, they would have to be careful exiting. My opinion would be the machine has to be in the bed with the user. Or remove the wardrobe and place it on the counter there...

**Kidkraz** · 12-23-2014, 04:14 PM

The machine can be positioned lower/higher/level with the users head. The key thing is the mask reaches the user and they have room to move as needed. The hose has wire to keep it from getting crushed or pinched, which could prevent air flow. Not all users need/use the water tank, I would check with them on the dimensions of their unit and if they'll have a tank. I would also ask them if they use supplemental oxygen? If so that's another issue completely.
I use a set of battery packs for my trips. My last trip, I had the unit located next to the back wall under the window; which allowed me to move as needed thru the night.
As Padgett mentioned the drawer is a good location, something I may go with on the next trip.

**ShrimpBurrito** · 12-24-2014, 01:02 AM

Thanks for the ideas, folks. Much appreciated!

Incidentally, to pick up on Bill's comment regarding the direction of sleeping, do most sleep with their heads on the toilet side? Sounds like not. We do, because on our TM, there is no window on that side in the back bed area. Those windows can get alot of condensation, and in the winter, ice, so we have never even considered sleeping with our heads on stove side.

Dave

**Kidkraz** · 12-24-2014, 09:48 AM

I have always slept with my head on the stove side.
Good luck with your visitors and Merry Christmas.

**commodor47** · 12-24-2014, 10:22 AM

Dave,

Our unit has windows on both sides of the bed - but only one ceiling light. That light is next to the curb side window and it makes sense for us to sleep with our heads on that side.

Dick