AirSense 10 CPAP – A Complete Guide to Getting Started
By
Clay Rollyson
/
/
If you have received the AirSense 10 CPAP by ResMed, then you are already on the right track. Your next step is to make sure that you take advantage of all the benefits that this great CPAP provides. In this blog we will give you all that information in bite-sized chunks to make it easy to understand. From setup and settings to maintenance and troubleshooting. We cover it all here.
Setting up your AirSense 10 CPAP:
Setting up your AirSense 10 is very simple but needs to be done correctly. Above, we have a great setup video that will give you awesome step-by-step instructions with visual aid to make the setup very easy. You can also follow the simple steps below to ensure that you are off to a proper start.
Set it on a level surface close to where you will be sleeping. Usually, a nightstand is best. It is also a good idea for the surface to be close to the same height as your bed.
Attach the AC plug to the converter brick and then connect the other end of the cord to the back of the AirSense 10. It is a yellow receptacle on the lower backside of the CPAP machine.
Now you will attache your tube to the back of the CPAP. If it is a standard tube either end will connect to the CPAP. If it is a heated tube, make sure to insert the hose properly so that the power plug connects into the CPAP machine.
Connect your mask to the other end of the tube.
Next you will open the Humidifier Chamber, fill to the max line with distilled water, close the lid, and slide the water chamber into place on the right side of the CPAP machine.
You are now ready to fit your mask to your face and press the start button on top of the AirSense 10 CPAP for a great night sleep.
Adjusting your AirSense 10 for the Most Comfort:
Now that you have your ResMed AirSense 10 CPAP setup and you have started therapy, you will want to be sure that you understand how to make it work best for your specific needs. Everybody is different and will have different preferences and needs. In the video above and in the details below we will describe those settings and how to adjust them for your success. You will find these settings in the “My Options” selection from your main menu. If you are not seeing some of these settings your allowance may be limited. You can change that with this tutorial here.
AirSense 10 Patient Settings Explanation:
Ramp Time– This setting allows you to control the time the AirSense 10 will take to get from your Minimal Starting Pressure to your Therapy Pressure. It is a great way to help you adjust to CPAP Therapy. The higher you set this time the longer you will have at the lower pressure. This can help you fall asleep. It can be adjusted from 0-45 minutes. You also have the “Auto” setting which allows the CPAP to do this on its own, based on your breath rate.
Humidity Level– This setting can be adjusted from 0-8. The higher you go the more humidity will be added. Increase this setting if you are dried out. Decrease this setting if you have excess condensation in your mask or tubing. You may be seeing Climate Control and Tube temp settings. We detail those below.
Pressure Relief– This setting will help you exhale. If it is on, then the AirSense 10 will reduce the pressure as you exhale. If it is turned off, then there will be no pressure reduction on exhalation.
SmartStart– This setting allows the AirSense 10 to turn itself on as soon as you put on your mask and start breathing.
Mask– This is where you set the type of mask that you are using. It is an important thing to have set correctly for the sake of the algorithm.
Tube– Most AirSense 10 users are equipped with a Slimline 15mm tube. You can change that to a Standard tube if you have changed to the thicker 22mm tube. If you are using a ClimateLine Heated Tube, then the setting will adjust itself for you.
Run Mask Fit– This allows you to try on your mask and make adjustments for a proper seal. Start and Stop it from here.
Run Warm up– This will pre-heat your water in the humidifier so that it is giving you good humidification right off the bat.
Airplane mode– This turns the cell modem on and off.
Climate Control– If you have a heated Climateline Tube you will see this setting. You can leave it in Auto mode, and it will adjust the Humidity and Tube Temp on its own for you. You can put it in Manual Mode as well. In that mode you can adjust Humidity as described above. You will also see tube temp which you will adjust up or down to account for condensation. Increase the tube temp to reduce condensation.
AirSense 10 Maintenance and Cleaning:
Hopefully you are now off to a great start to CPAP Therapy on your AirSense 10. Over time you will have to make sure that you keep it running properly. This involves keeping up with a few disposable parts as well as a few parts that will need periodic cleaning. Check out the video above or the parts detail below for a quick overview.
AirSense 10 parts to maintain:
Humidifier Chamber– The water tank on the AirSense 10 will last 6-12 months if maintained. Clean with mild dish soap and water weekly. Empty every morning and let it air-dry. Only use distilled water in the tank. View replacement water chambers here.
Intake Filter– On the left side of this CPAP there is a little vented door. You can flap that door down to expose a small white filter. This is a disposable filter that should be checked weekly and changed at the first sign of discoloration or dust. You can buy more filters here.
Tube and Mask– The tubing and mask need to be washed at least once per week with mild dish soap and warm water. Rinse very well and allow to air dry completely before reconnecting.