Q. If someone has sleep apnea, and is advised by doctor to use a sleep apnea machine every night, can one use it on Shabbos, which requires pushing an electric button to activate it and turning it off in the morning?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that when there is a compelling need for operating the apnea machine on Shabbos, as when the user cannot fall asleep without it (even if his life is not presently in danger), it can be used if it is connected to a timer that automatically turns it on. It should also be the type of machine that does not have a sensor that turns it on and off, responding to the breathing and also adjusts accordingly the pressure needed in real time, (APAP or Auto Positive Airway Pressure system) but rather the simpler continuous air stream machine.
A trial should be done before Shabbos to see if the timer set up works properly.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
When you first turn on the machine, it is at a low air pressure. This is to allow you to fall asleep. After about 10 minutes, the machine 'ramps' up to the preset maximum. If I use a timer , I will lose the ramping up period, and since my pressure is high, I will not be able to fall asleep
Posted: 11/8/2013 10:24:05 AM by:
Howard Wolfe
Post a Comment!
Sof Zman Kiddush Levanoh: Friday 1:24 PM + 0 Chalakim
Important Numbers
