I take issue with this claim regarding CPAPs/APAPs There are many doctors who support making CPAP machines purchasable without prescriptions. The story line that they need to remain prescriptions only is, not surprisingly, funding/pushed by sleep clinics and the machine industry players because ... you guessed it ... profit.

I started using an APAP (Resmed10 autoset) about 2 years ago. My sleep study (overnight onsight at clinic) said I needed CPAP for sure and they slapped one on me in the middle of the night to "titrate" it just right for me. After got my machine, they were useless to adjust it. I did bare amount of research and found everything I needed to really adjust settings to work for me over couple months. I don't even take 30 minute nap without it now. Godsend.

I've also snagged the same model machine off ebay with only 30 hours on it (VERY hard to come by because the machine manufacturers are diligent and aggressive in getting them off resale market because of their status as prescribed medical equipment). Anyway, put my brother on said ebay machine, spent week or so of monitoring results and titrating his settings and he has been happy camper since. He had worse apnea than me, but alas no medical coverage at that time.

Of course, ventilators are in different class. That said, keeping CPAPs as prescription only medical devices is a scam and many lives could be extended and saved if could buy without script.

Understatement of the year, it's probably more dangerous to use these at home than just using simple oxygen and someone to help you remember to breathe for a few days. If you're to the point that you need a ventilator for covid-19, you're also going to need a ton of meds and attention from trained medical staff. I could see a CPAP machine being useful for lighter cases just to help out, but even then I'm not a doctor.

Some things are good to DIY, but not this, we need HN to stop allowing these dangerous posts.

Yeah, I have news for you ... I'm slapping my CPAP on any family member in a medical crisis where their O2 is bottoming out (I have o2 monitor too .. cheap from amazon) that potentially may be coming. If they are unable to breathe and we can't get them medical help/ventilated, it is no brainer.

Here is my experience: CPAP (actual APAP) for a several years now. Godsend for me. Don't even nap without it. In addition to the sleep apnea and impact it had on my life and long term health, there has been one other remarkable benefit. I have had no lung issues (bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia or even just wheezing), since not long after started using. For decades prior (I'm 50 now), I had yearly bouts with bronchitis due to my mild asthma combined with allergy seasons, etc. I also had couple which progressed to pneumonia. I have had NONE of that since starting and we are on the 4th year now. The APAP helps expand lungs and breath deeply, in addition to the intended benefit of keeping my airway from collapsing / sleep apnea.

CPAPS aren't dangerous. I've already thought about scenario where I'd use it on loved one over past couple weeks (prior to reading this article). Damn believe I will if have to. Alternative is potentially death.

Yes, ventilator (to me implying being intubated) is of course totally different.

I have a spare cpap actually and parents with lung issues. How do you use a cpap to help someone if it came up?

CPAPs are great machines.. they literally can be lifesavers.. But you should never share a CPAP!!! A CPAP is setup for YOU! You can blow out a lung using it on a loved one.. also you can bust your stomach/gut depending on a loved one if they have something as simple as GERD. They seem simple.. but they are not.. they are setup for YOU.

So you agree with me...

Can you expand why please? What can go wrong?