Adjust Pressure on a Respironics CPAP Machine

Here's step-by-step instructions on how to adjust pressure (and other settings) on a Respironics REMStar Plus CPAP machine.

Steps

Determine what kind you have. Methods to access the clinical settings vary from model to model. Try one of the following:
With the machine plugged into a wall outlet, unplug the cord from the back of the CPAP. Then, press and hold down the two user buttons below the display screen while plugging the cord back into the CPAP, and continue to hold the buttons down until the CPAP beeps. This will indicate that the CPAP is in the Therapy Setup Menu.
- For RESMED S7 and S8 models: Press and hold the right button and the down button for 5 seconds.
- For RESMED S6: Hold down the Start and 20Min buttons while powering the unit on. These two buttons will remain lit. Now press '5' to reduce pressure and '10' to increase pressure. Power off unit to retain the setting.
Reset the display. The display will first show the number of hours the machine has been used. To erase this total and begin again at zero, press and hold the ramp or humidifier button. An “X” will appear on the display. Hold the button down until the time change to “0” and the “X” disappears.
- To skip this setting or continue, press the right user button.
Set the 'elevation'. The elevation setting will appear next. To change this setting, press the ramp or humidifier button until the correct setting appears. Here are the elevation settings: 1 = less than 2,500 ft.; 2 = 2,500 to 5,000 ft.; 3 = 5,001 to 7,500 ft.
- To skip this setting or continue, press the right user button.
The therapy mode will appear, either CPAP or CFLEX. To change this setting, press the ramp or humidifier button until the correct setting appears.
- To skip this setting or continue, press the right user button.
The CPAP pressure will appear. To change this setting, press the ramp or humidifier button until the correct setting appears.
- To skip this setting or continue, press the right user button.
The CPAP fine adjustment setting will appear. This setting allows you to calibrate your CPAP pressure to a manometer. We suggest you do not try to adjust this setting.
- To skip this setting or continue, press the right user button.
The CFLEX setting will appear if you selected the CFLEX mode in number 4 above. A setting of 1 offers the least drop in pressure, 3 offers the most. To change this setting, press the ramp or humidifier button until the correct setting appears.
- To skip this setting or continue, press the right user button.
The ramp time will appear next. It may be set for 0 to 45 minutes in 5 minute increments. To change this setting, press the ramp or humidifier button until the correct setting appears.
- To skip this setting or continue, press the right user button.
The ramp starting pressure will appear. To change this setting, press the ramp or humidifier button until the correct setting appears.
- To skip this setting or continue, press the right user button.
The patient disconnect setting will appear. This sounds an alarm when there is a mask leak and turns the airflow off. 1 = On; 2 = Off. To change this setting, press the ramp or humidifier button until the correct setting appears.
There are no other settings available. Press the pressure start/stop button to exit the menu or press the right user button to scroll through the settings again.

Warnings

Your CPAP pressure should be determined by a sleep study and prescribed by a licensed physician.