Phillips Cpap Recall.
Note: Facts, issues, and conclusions are based
on information that may not be completely accurate.
The Nightmare
The Nightmare
Philips issued a voluntary recall on their Cpap machines June 2021. The recall involved the foam inside the units breaking down and releasing particles and toxic gasses directly into your respiratory system, causing a variety of health issues most long term.
There's no shortage of problems, issues, opinions, and conspiracy theories:
Philips says that the recall will be completed by September 2022.
People have no choice but to use their machines until the recall replacements are sent.
Some people are having their Dreamstation 1 replaced with the new model Dreamstation 2. As units are replaced, they send back their old DS1 which are refurbished and sent out... So some people are getting the refurbished DS1s to replace their current units... And the process continues on and on until the recall is completed.
Most people, myself included, think the new DS2 is not as good as the older DS1 units.
Add to this, Philips reportedly know about the foam some years ago, and did to correct the problem until now. Hence the theory that the DS2s were made, and made quicker and cheaper, to start the recall process. Prime the pump by sending out some DS2s to get used DS1s back to be refurbished and sent out to perpetuate the recall process.
So, we know that the foam is potentially dangerous. But people that must continue to use the cpaps waiting fire the recall replacements looked for other solutions. One solution was to remove the foam themselves with the aid of YouTube instructional video. Video was not from Philips, but by people just trying to help. Next came a safe foam air chamber from Amazon sellers that you could purchase and put in yourself, again with help from a YouTube video. And finally a foam free air chamber via Amazon sellers. People replaced the Philips original foam chamber with these new " safe" air chambers. Of course the next issue was about the safe foam and the plastic housing itself on the Amazon units. Well, we knew the original foam was dangerous so the unknown Air chambers made in China were questionable, but still a choice over the original which were definitely known to be dangerous. then others brought up not only the safety of the after market units, but thought using them would void the warranty. not to worry about the warranty... They were being replaced anyway. Then they questioned the fact that only trained medical technicians should work on the units... Really? You do what you have to do.
I feel lucky that in got my DS2 recently while so many people will waiting several more months. So I sent my DS1 in to be refurbished and sent out to someone else.
Many people brought up the question about getting a replacement DS1 not knowing how many hours are already on the unit, and possible others issues that were not addressed when refurbished.
Of course, you could go out and buy a different brand, ResMed, and pay the $1,000 price yourself... If you have that extra money.
The Dreamstation 1
The New Dreamstation 2
Some people are having their Dreamstation 1 replaced with the new model Dreamstation 2. As units are replaced, they send back their old DS1 which are refurbished and sent out... So some people are getting the refurbished DS1s to replace their current units... And the process continues on and on until the recall is completed.
Most people, myself included, think the new DS2 is not as good as the older DS1 units.
Add to this, Philips reportedly know about the foam some years ago, and did to correct the problem until now. Hence the theory that the DS2s were made, and made quicker and cheaper, to start the recall process. Prime the pump by sending out some DS2s to get used DS1s back to be refurbished and sent out to perpetuate the recall process.
So, we know that the foam is potentially dangerous. But people that must continue to use the cpaps waiting fire the recall replacements looked for other solutions. One solution was to remove the foam themselves with the aid of YouTube instructional video. Video was not from Philips, but by people just trying to help. Next came a safe foam air chamber from Amazon sellers that you could purchase and put in yourself, again with help from a YouTube video. And finally a foam free air chamber via Amazon sellers. People replaced the Philips original foam chamber with these new " safe" air chambers. Of course the next issue was about the safe foam and the plastic housing itself on the Amazon units. Well, we knew the original foam was dangerous so the unknown Air chambers made in China were questionable, but still a choice over the original which were definitely known to be dangerous. then others brought up not only the safety of the after market units, but thought using them would void the warranty. not to worry about the warranty... They were being replaced anyway. Then they questioned the fact that only trained medical technicians should work on the units... Really? You do what you have to do.
I feel lucky that in got my DS2 recently while so many people will waiting several more months. So I sent my DS1 in to be refurbished and sent out to someone else.
Many people brought up the question about getting a replacement DS1 not knowing how many hours are already on the unit, and possible others issues that were not addressed when refurbished.
Of course, you could go out and buy a different brand, ResMed, and pay the $1,000 price yourself... If you have that extra money.
The Dreamstation 1
The New Dreamstation 2
Myself... I'm don't know if I should to be glad I got the DS2 versus the refurbished DS1. The DS2 is completely new, but not as good as the DS1s. But do I really want a refurbished DS1, a better unit, not knowing how many hours are on the unit, or any possible contaminants that may be contained in the machine.
For most... The nightmare continues.
