Sefam: S.Box Auto CPAP Machine by Starck

Can I buy a CPAP machine without a prescription?

For us to be able to provide a CPAP machine we would need to see written documentation to show you require CPAP therapy. This does not have to be a formal prescription; it could be a simple letter from your doctor. If you have taken our In-Home Sleep Test before ordering, then your results letter will state whether or not your result allows you to purchase a CPAP machine. If you have done a sleep study but are unsure if you have any paperwork showing your need for CPAP, then please contact us. If you are yet to do a sleep study (either privately through our at-home service, or via the NHS) then your first step would be to read our Sleep Test information page and progress from there – you could still be benefiting from CPAP therapy within a fortnight.

CPAP Humidifier – Everything You Need To Know

Everything you need to know about humidification

A CPAP Heated Humidifier houses a water chamber, which it heats to add moisture to the air provided by your machine. They are ideal for those who find the device leaves them waking with a dry mouth, sore nasal passages or find the air cold and therefore uncomfortable.

They are usually an additional piece of equipment that locks onto or into your main CPAP machine, but some CPAP machines come with a humidifier built-in. Most CPAP machines will have their specific humidifier available.

For some people, having a humidifier moisten and warm the air from their CPAP machine is an essential part of their therapy; for others, there is a little benefit so it can come down to personal preference. Those using a full face mask are more likely to require humidified air as they are more susceptible to a dry mouth. For those using an oral mask, humidified air is more or less essential.

I’m not sure I need a humidifier?

For most CPAP machines, humidifiers can be purchased at a later date and integrated separately, so you can order your CPAP machine without the humidifier and see how you go. However, if you do find yourself already waking up with a dry mouth before you’ve started CPAP therapy and are new to CPAP therapy, then CPAP is likely to make this condition worse, and we would recommend purchasing one immediately.

If you know you need a humidifier, then it could be worth considering a machine with a humidifier built-in. An example of this is the Fisher and Paykel ICON. This design adds greater convenience, and they’re often more compact than having two separate units (space on your bedside table).

Intus healthcare advice:

• CPAP machines with built-in humidifiers can be delicate and require extra care in transit. Therefore it is advised the humidifier is entirely free of water – and preferably packed separately if you are travelling with your CPAP machine.
• If you are running your CPAP machine from a 12V source (for example in a car or caravan), then your humidifier will not be able to run off of DC power. It can still be used passively (unpowered and unheated).
• Overall, if you will be travelling, we would always advise you to leave the humidifier behind unless it is essential or you are away for an extended period.
• If you are going to be travelling, we would recommend purchasing a CPAP machine that has a separate humidifier rather than one that is built-in.

Problems with humidified air from your CPAP humidifier

A possible drawback of humidified air is from, what we call Rainout, the proper name for condensation build up in the tubing and mask. It is likely to happen because the tubing and CPAP mask will be at room temperature (20–22 °C (68–72 °F)), causing the warmer air from the CPAP machine to cool and condense as a result. Rainout can result in a gargling noise or just general discomfort; it is particularly common in the winter months.

There are ways to counteract Rainout (condensation buildup)

One solution we offer is a hose fleece, which provides the CPAP machine’s hose with insulation (it can also make the tubing physically more comfortable to touch).

Our second and more comprehensive option is to use a heated CPAP hose, such as the Hybernite Heated Breathing Tube. The heated hose ensures the temperature difference inside the tubing is negligible, preventing Rainout and ensuring the air reaches you at the correct temperature.

CPAP Machines – do I need fixed pressure or automatic?

The difference between the two types of machine

There are two types of CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine, fixed-pressure or automatic.

Fixed Pressure CPAP Machine

 A fixed-pressure CPAP machine is designed to stay at one pressure level during use; this pressure setting should be provided by your sleep clinic, or possibly your doctor. This setting is calculated for your requirements based on several factors.

If you have been provided with a fixed supply-pressure setting by your clinic or GP, then a fixed-pressure CPAP machine should do nicely.

Automatic CPAP Machine

If you do not have a specific pressure setting (most do not), then you will be advised to use an automatic machine instead, also known as Auto-CPAP or APAP. Automatic CPAP machines have a range of sensors built-in that allow them to calculate how much pressure you require at any given time. It can detect when you are about to stop breathing and raises the air pressure accordingly. Once the danger has passed, it will drop the air pressure down again. This means, on average, you will get less pressurised air throughout the night than you would with a fixed pressure machine.

The fixed pressure CPAP machine would be set at the highest setting you might need.

Intus healthcare advice:

• Many people find automatic CPAP machine therapy to be more comfortable and more effective. We often find even those who have been provided a fixed-pressure setting opt for an automatic machine as a result.
• However, there is often an adjustment period as you get used to the different way an automatic machine provides pressure compared to a fixed-pressure one.
• Initially, some find the lower pressure alarming, and it can seem like you are not getting enough air! You are, you do not need high pressure all of the time – particularly when you’re awake.
• Equally, the automatic CPAP machine may go higher than you’re used to if it determines you need more pressure. 
• It can take a little time to acclimatise when switching to an automatic initially, but in the long-term, your therapy should be more comfortable and more effective.

One thing to note is that the fixed-pressure setting you are prescribed will be accurate at that time. Unfortunately, over time your requirements can change. For example; gaining or losing weight, or drinking alcohol before sleep can affect the severity of your OSA and therefore the pressure you require. It is therefore essential to be assessed regularly by your sleep or respiratory clinician and make sure your pressure setting is still at the optimum level. Alternatively, you could choose an Auto-CPAP Machine which will always provide you with the exact pressure you need regardless of any changes.

So in short: If you have not been prescribed a fixed-pressure setting (for example, 12cmH2O), then you will need an Auto-CPAP Machine. If you have, you can either choose a fixed pressure CPAP Machine at that setting or choose an Auto-CPAP Machine anyway for the additional benefits it offers.

CPAP Machines – What is a CPAP Machine?

Are you wondering what a CPAP machine is and how to choose the one for you?

Choosing a CPAP machine may look like a minefield, but it depends on your therapy needs and to some extent, personal preferences.

The acronym C.P.A.P. stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. A CPAP machine increases the air pressure in your throat to prevent your airway from collapsing when you inhale and can reduce your snoring.

CPAP therapy is a treatment for O.S.A. (Obstructive Sleep Apnoea). Sleep apnoea is a term for the collapsing of your airways while sleeping.

One thing to note at this time is that a CPAP machine is not a ventilator; it does not breathe for you. The CPAP machine generates only enough air pressure to keep your airways open.

Fixed Pressure CPAP Machine or Automatic CPAP Machine

There are two types of CPAP machine, fixed-pressure and automatic.

Fixed Pressure CPAP Machines stay at one pressure setting which should be provided by your sleep clinic, or possibly your doctor.

Automatic CPAP machines are for sufferers who do not have a specific air pressure requirement. What does that mean? Some people require different amounts of air pressure to stop the sleep apnea effect. Auto-CPAP or APAP machines have a range of sensors that allow them to calculate the correct air pressure.

CPAP Masks and your CPAP Machine

The CPAP Mask is critical to your therapy success and is used in conjunction with your machine to deliver the correct air pressure to your airways. We have an extensive FAQ section on our website about CPAP Masks if you want to learn more.

CPAP Machines and humidifiers

There are also CPAP machines which can have a humidifier as a separate piece of equipment added, or they can have the humidifier built-in. A humidifier heats water and adds moisture to the air from the CPAP machine to prevent drying in your nose, mouth and throat from the CPAP therapy; to improve comfort for the user.

Intus healthcare advice:

Before you can order a CPAP Machine from Intus Healthcare, you need to have written documentation to show you require CPAP therapy. Your documentation does not have to be a formal prescription; it could be a simple letter from your doctor. Intus healthcare also has a sleep test facility, which you can view here by clicking the link: The Sleep Test.

If you have done a sleep study but are unsure if you have any paperwork showing your need for CPAP, then please contact us. If you are yet to do a sleep study (either privately through our at-home service, or via the NHS) then your first step would be to read our Sleep Studies information page and progress from there – you could still be benefiting from CPAP therapy within a fortnight.

Do you have a shop where I can buy or sample your products?

We are an online company and we only sell through our websites. There are currently no physical shops selling CPAP products in the UK, and this is unlikely to change. We have shipped thousands of orders during our years of providing CPAP equipment.

Do you ship outside of the EU?

We ship to all countries within the European Union, and also to selected European countries that are not currently EU member states such as Croatia, Norway and Switzerland. We do not ship anywhere outside of Europe for logistical and contractual reasons. However, if you are based outside of Europe, we could deliver your order to a friend or relative within Europe for them to send on. We will not ship outside of Europe directly for the foreseeable future.

How do I check that you stock a particular item?

Any item marked as “In Stock” means that it is available, either in our extensive warehouse or in one of our suppliers’. 90% of orders can be shipped the same working day from our warehouse. For the remaining 10%, our excellent relationships with our suppliers mean that these orders should ship within 24-48 hours. We will let you know if your order is subject to any delay, and you can call us or email to enquire about exact stock availability at any time. Our Customer Care Team can let you know the availability of any item listed on our website and give an honest estimate of when you can expect to receive it.

How long will my order take to arrive?

We aim to ship all items within one to two days.

For UK customers, there will usually be a selection of delivery options ranging from Royal Mail Second Class up to Next Day Courier. Estimated delivery times will be given for each option, and every UK order will have a free delivery option. Heavier and higher-value orders will usually ship via a courier service, which is the next working day (or two working days for Northern Ireland and the Scottish Highlands).

If you need assistance then please call us on 0800 024 8050

One of our Customer Care Team will give you an honest and accurate assessment of when your order can be despatched (see our stock information on the next question) and let you know which delivery options are open to you. We can often upgrade your delivery option to ensure your order arrives promptly for a small fee.

How much will the shipping cost?

To calculate the shipping costs of your order, after you have added the items to your basket, you can go to the My Basket page and use the delivery calculator. The price this displays will be what you are charged for those items to be delivered to your chosen destination – so no surprises when you get the payment. We constantly review our shipping prices for all countries to ensure they are as accurate as possible for whichever items you are ordering.

Overseas deliveries 

For overseas deliveries, delivery options will range from Airmail Post up to Courier, with estimated delivery times displayed for each option. Heavier and higher value orders will ship via a courier service, which will take between two and eight working days, depending on the distance from the UK. For more accurate times for our courier service, feel free to contact us. Please let us know if you have any urgent time constraints and we can let you know your options and can see what we can offer to get your order to you as promptly and safely as possible.

Note: Orders for CPAP machines will require some form of documentation to be provided by you before your order can be despatched. High-value orders may require additional checks before being despatched.

VAT relief for disabled or chronically sick people

If you order products that are eligible for VAT relief, then during the checkout process, you will have the option to declare yourself eligible for that relief. At this point, you can decide if you qualify for VAT relief. It should be self-explanatory, however, if you have any doubts about whether or not you are eligible for the 0% VAT rate, then please Contact Us before purchase, and we will be happy to advise.

All eligible products are clearly marked, and if one or more of the products you are purchasing is eligible for VAT relief and the recipient of the eligible goods has a ‘chronic illness’ such as Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and will be using the goods for their personal or domestic use, then VAT can be charged at 0%. A simple tick declaration during the checkout is all that is required.

VAT relief is available to residents of all European Union member states except the Republic of Ireland.

For the Republic of Ireland, VAT must be applied at 21% on all deliveries to the Republic of Ireland.

Up until the declaration, the website will presume that VAT is to be charged at 20% (for example, at the Shopping Basket stage all orders will show 20% VAT being applied). Rest assured that this will be easily changed to 0% on eligible products during the checkout process, provided you declare that you qualify for relief as explained.

The checkout declaration is as follows:

‘Dear Customer one or more of the products you are purchasing may be eligible for VAT relief (0% rated) if: the recipient of the eligible goods has a ‘chronic illness’ such as Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and will be using the goods for their personal or domestic use. (For more information see HMRC VAT Notice 701/7).’

Tick the box below to claim VAT relief with a simple declaration. If you do not tick the box, VAT will be applied at the standard rate.

This applies to all EU orders except deliveries to Ireland, which must have VAT added at the Irish standard rate.

UK companies must always pay UK standard VAT rates and leave the box unticked.

Supplier’s Declaration:

Intus Healthcare Ltd, of: 2 Walton Business Centre, 46 Terrace Road, Walton-on-Thames, KT12 2SD, UK declare that we are supplying the qualifying products you are purchasing, under the condition that the recipient is a disabled person (defined above) and is using them for their personal or domestic use.

Customer’s Declaration:

I, (identified by my registered name and billing address), declare that the recipient of these goods has Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and is receiving the goods detailed in this order for their domestic or personal use and I, therefore, claim relief from VAT. By ticking the box below, I acknowledge that I am electronically signing this declaration as of the date of this order.

Please see ‘Notice 701/7 VAT reliefs for disabled people’ on the GOV.uk website for full details.