Make a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) Hose Holder for Sleep Apnea

People who have sleep apnea and who have a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) device, may not also have a hose holder.  This is really too bad, because, in my opinion, the device is not complete without one.  It's just too hard to get a good night's sleep when you're fighting the hose to maintain a proper mask fit while trying to sleep. 

By elevating the hose and holding it in a position just above the head, one can sleep soundly and not have to constantly adjust the mask while sleeping.

Since I made this device several nights ago, my sleep has been uninterrupted by "hose events" every night.  

The parts for this device cost just over 5 dollars (US).  Commercial ones that I would consider using run 30 to 50 dollars (US)  and up. 

Legal disclaimer that my lawyers make me put into this:

If you decide to make and use this device, you do so completely at your own risk.
By making it, you agree to hold me harmless for the results of any possible accident resulting either from the device's use or or misuse. 

Step 1: Acquire Parts and Cut PVC Pipe to Length

Parts List 
(2-4) pieces of double sided velcro, (they come in a spool of 25 for about 6 bucks, amounting to about 24 cents each)

The following are all 1/2"  PVC items from the hardware store:

(1)  10 foot length of  1/2" PVC pipe @ $2.25 
(5)  90 degree PVC elbow couplers @ $0.35
(1)  PVC tee couplers                          @ $0.35 
(1) straight In line coupler                  @ $0.35

Using the cross cutting tool of your choice, cut the 10 foot PVC pipe into the following lengths (shown from the bottom up): 

(3) 15" base pieces
(2) 6.75" base pieces
(1) 26" riser
(1) 14" riser extender
(1) 8" lateral arm

I already owned all except two of the above items, because I re-used parts that were previously used to support a "light tent" made of a PVC frame and a large piece of white rip-stop nylon. The light tent was used for making photographic images of the woodturnings that I used to sell at art fairs.  I love to reuse parts from my previous endeavors, and I encourage everyone to try to do the same, rather than throwing parts away after each use. 

Step 2: Lay Out and Assemble the Parts

(Do not use any adhesive for this device, so that It can be broken down in less than a minute for travel.) 

1. Assemble the square base using:

    (3) 15" lengths of PVC pipe,
    (2) 6.75" lengths of PVC pipe,
    (4) elbows, and
    (1) tee coupler into a square shape. 

2. Orient the Tee coupler so that the open part faces up. 

3. Insert the 26" riser piece into the Tee Coupler. 

4. Attach an elbow to the top of the 26" riser piece.  

5. Attach the 8" lateral arm to the open part of the top elbow. 

6. Wrap and secure the velcro pieces around the riser  and lateral arm. 

7. To make the lateral arm "swivel" to track your head movements, I recommend  sanding the around the end of the riser that you will insert into the elbow of the lateral arm.  This will allow the lateral arm to swivel freely so your mask will stay put.  Now you won't have to futz with your mask while you sleep. 

You have finished the basic assembly of the short version of the device.  I use this version at night by sticking the base part between my mattress and my box spring at the top of the bed.

8.  If you need a free-standing floor model, simply attach the inline coupler to the remaining 14" riser, and insert it between the Tee coupler and the 26" riser.  

or cut a single riser to the length that you need. 

There is nothing sacred about any of these measurements.  In fact, I already had the 15", 8" and 32" pieces pre-cut for my light tent, so assembly of my first version took me all of about 2 minutes.

Step 3: Short Version (for Insertion Between the Mattress and Box Spring)

I use this version at night at the top of my bed.  

The base is tucked in between my box spring and mattress. 

Step 4: Longer Version (for Free-standing Use on Floor)

The extender riser is attached between the long riser and the Tee coupler. 

Step 5: Short Version With Hose Attached Inserted Between Mattress and Box Spring.

Step 6: Short Version Between Mattress and Box Spring at Head of Bed

This is the setup that I use.  

Please notice that there are two "degrees of freedom" of movement of the hose now.  

1. The hose itself swivels 360 degrees.

2. The lateral arm swivels 180 degrees (360 if there's no wall).. 

I wake up in the morning with the hose untangled and my mask still fitting from a great night's sleep with no leakage. 

No more rolling around on top of my hose. 

No more finding it wrapped around my neck in the morning. 

No more yanking my expensive CPAP device onto the floor in the middle of the night.  (I had velcroed it to the night table, but with this device, this seems unnecessary.)

Sweet dreams all .......

zzzzzzzzzzz