General Warnings and Cautions
Warnings
! • Advice contained in this manual should not supersede instructions given by the prescribing physician.
• A patient should not connect a device to the data communication port unless instructed to do so by their health care provider or physician. Only ResMed products are designed to be connected to the data communication port. Connecting other devices could result in injury, or damage to the VPAP device.
• These VPAP devices should only be used with masks (and connectors1) recommended by ResMed, or by a physician or respiratory therapist. A mask should not be used unless the VPAP device is turned on and operating properly. The vent hole or holes associated with the mask should never be blocked.
Explanation: These VPAP devices are intended to be used with special masks (or connectors*) which have vent holes to allow continuous flow of air out of the mask. When the device is turned on and functioning properly, new air from the device flushes the exhaled air out through the mask vent holes. However, when the device is not operating, insufficient fresh air will be provided through the mask, and the exhaled air may be rebreathed. Rebreathing of exhaled air for longer than several minutes can, in some circumstances, lead to suffocation. This applies to most Positive Airway Pressure devices.
• In the event of power failure† or machine malfunction, remove the mask.
• These VPAP devices can be set to deliver pressures up to 25 cm H2O. In the unlikely event of certain fault conditions, pressures up to 40 cm H2O are possible.
• Follow all precautions when using supplemental oxygen.
• Oxygen flow must be turned off when the flow generator is not operating, so that unused oxygen does not accumulate within the flow generator enclosure and create a risk of fire.
• If the oxygen has been left on, turn off the device, then wait 30 minutes before turning on the device again.
• At a fixed rate of supplemental oxygen flow, the inhaled oxygen concentration varies, depending on the pressure settings, patient breathing pattern, mask, point of application and leak rate.
• Do not use the VPAP IV or VPAP IV ST if there are obvious external defects or unexplained changes in performance.
• Do not open the VPAP case. There are no user serviceable parts inside. Repairs and internal servicing should only be performed by an authorised service agent.
• Explosion hazard – do not use in the vicinity of flammable anesthetics.
Cautions
!• At low pressures, the flow through the exhalation ports of your mask may not clear all exhaled gas from the tubing. Some rebreathing may occur.
•The airflow for breathing produced by this device can be as much as 11ºF (6ºC) higher than the temperature of the room. Caution should be exercised if the room temperature is warmer than 90ºF (32ºC).
•When AC mains power
Note: The above are general warnings and cautions. Specific warnings, cautions and notes appear with the relevant instructions in the manual.
*Ports may be incorporated into the mask or in connectors that are near the mask.
†During partial (below rated minimum voltage) or total power failure, IPAP and EPAP pressures will not be delivered. When power is restored, operation will recommence with no change to settings.
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