Medical air mattresses, such as alternating pressure or low air loss systems, are designed to prevent pressure ulcers (bedsores). These specialized surfaces use cycles of air movement to redistribute a person’s weight, promoting circulation and protecting the skin. While this constant motion serves a preventative purpose, patients and caregivers often need to stabilize the surface temporarily for comfort, transfers, or patient care.
Locating and Using the Control Unit
The control unit, or air pump, is typically a rectangular box attached to the footboard or side rail of the bed frame. This unit contains the main power switch and controls for the therapeutic modes. The most common method for stopping the inflation cycle is engaging a specific static setting on this control panel.
Look for a button labeled “Static,” “Max Inflate,” “Hold,” or “Fowler Boost,” as the name varies by manufacturer. Pressing this button rapidly inflates all air cells to a uniformly firm pressure, stopping the alternating cycle. This creates a stable, even surface necessary for tasks like safely transferring a person, performing wound care, or repositioning.
For prolonged deactivation of air flow, use the main power switch on the pump unit, usually marked with an on/off symbol. Turning the unit off completely stops all air movement, but the mattress will slowly deflate over time. Deflation can take 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on the model. Disconnecting the power cord is generally discouraged unless instructed by a medical professional, as it prevents quickly restoring therapeutic function.
Understanding the Bed’s Therapeutic Modes
The constant movement of the bed surface is due to therapeutic modes designed for pressure injury prevention. The most common is the Alternating Pressure Mode (APM), which systematically inflates and deflates individual air cells in a repeating cycle, typically lasting 5 to 20 minutes. This cyclic change prevents continuous pressure on any single point of the body, allowing blood flow to be restored to compressed capillaries.
Another setting is the Low Air Loss Mode (LAL), which uses a gentle flow of air through tiny holes in the mattress surface. This airflow manages the microclimate around the patient’s skin by wicking away heat and moisture. Keeping the skin dry and cool helps reduce the risk of skin breakdown caused by excessive humidity.
The “Max Inflate,” “Static,” or “Hold” settings are engineered to temporarily override these dynamic therapies. These modes maximize internal pressure across all air cells to provide a uniformly firm platform. This stable base is essential for specific activities, such as when a patient is sitting up in the Fowler position or during physical therapy.
Safety Considerations When Deactivating Air Flow
Deactivating the dynamic air flow requires a careful understanding of the associated patient safety risks. The primary concern is the rapid onset of pressure ulcers when the skin is subjected to constant, unrelieved pressure on a static surface. Without the cyclic pressure redistribution, capillary blood flow can be compromised, leading to tissue damage in a relatively short amount of time.
For this reason, the “Static” or “Max Inflate” modes are intended for procedural use only, such as during a temporary patient transfer, bed linen change, or a brief examination. Many advanced systems are programmed to automatically return to the alternating mode after a set duration, often 15 to 30 minutes, to mitigate the risk of prolonged static support. If the mattress does not have this automatic reset, it is imperative to manually switch the system back to the dynamic mode as soon as the task is complete.
In an urgent medical situation, the CPR Quick-Release valve is sometimes present on the mattress to instantaneously deflate the entire surface. This rapid deflation creates a firm base against the bed frame for effective chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This release is an emergency-only function and should never be used for general deactivation or comfort. Prolonged changes to therapeutic settings should only be made in consultation with nursing staff or a physician.