How to Adjust the Air Pressure on a Fisher Paykel CPAP

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which the throat muscles relax, temporarily blocking a person's airway. OSA is characterized by excessive snoring, pauses in breathing while sleeping, fatigue during the day, frequent sore throats and dry mouth in the morning. OSA is potentially serious because oxygen flow to the brain and other vital organs can be disrupted. The Fisher & Paykel continuous passive airway pressure machine delivers constant airflow through a mask to keep the airway open during sleep.

Instructions

• 1

  Place your CPAP machine on a flat surface below the height of your head. Plug one end of the cord into the back of the machine and the opposite end into the wall outlet.

• 2

  Connect one end of the air tube to the CPAP mask and the other to the top of the machine. Turn on the power to the machine. The settings programmed by your prescribing health-care professional will appear on the screen.

• 3

  Place the CPAP mask on your face. If the airflow is too strong, push the ramp button. This will temporarily reduce the flow to help you fall asleep. Over a 20-minute period, the pressure will slowly return to the original setting.

• 4

  Use the buttons with up and down arrows to permanently adjust the level of airflow if it is still too high. In the morning, remove your mask and press the off button. If the preset level of pressure continues to be uncomfortable, contact your health care provider for a follow-up appointment.