Drive Medical14027 Med-Aire Low Air Loss Mattress Replacement System with Alternating Pressure, Dark Purple

My daughter has had three different types of these "Low Air Loss Alternating Pressure Mattresses" over the years and this Drive Model 14027 mattress is the best in all features and benefits:1) Alternating pressure air cylinders with an adjustment dial that is marked to patient weights2) The push of a button switches to firm (Static) in seconds with where other brands can take minutes to firm up. This benefit is great for brief changes (repositioning)3) 20 air cylinders, competitors are typically 174) Exceptionally quiet compared to competitors5) 8" thick high air cylinders where competitors are typically 3" and 5" high, great for taller care givers6) A generous width and length takes full advantage of a standard hospital bed dimensions7) Lower priced than competitors with similar features8) Quick delivery, in a few days

My handicap mother loves this mattress and is still using it without any issues.

Purchased this mattress for my Mom who has been bedbound for over 2 1/2 years now. Prior to this purchase, we had the alternating pressure overlay mattress from Drive. In fact, we had gone through more than 3 sets of those overlays. They worked just fine to prevent bedsores. But she still complained about "her bed" not being comfortable, even on the lowest setting. I lay on her bed several times, when she was up in the chair and she was right about it not being all that comfortable. The individual air pockets inflate and deflate as intended, but it does feel as if a ball is rising up under you as it inflates. And when it is under certain spots on your body, it can be hurtful for just a couple of minutes. Not painful, just hurts some.Last week, the pump was starting to make a clicking noise, as it has done in the past, when it was going out, so I went online to get a replacement setup. Found this instead, and at a good price with an 18 month warranty. I worked as a nurse for over 37 years, so have used this type of mattress in the hospital with good results. There is a more expensive one, that holds the air for 24 hours of power loss, but since I am not planning on throwing out Moms' old mattress and foam covering, this should be fine.Mom loves this mattress. Said it feels great to her on the lowest pressure setting. I am using a thick blanket and a 4 inch memory foam topper on the bedsprings with this mattress on top. You need something over those springs before you use this mattress so you don't accidentally puncture it.One problem with this mattress, cannot get a sheet on it if it is tied down to the movable parts of the hospital bed, and that is the only way you can tie it. So, we are using on top of the mattress, a disposable waterproof pad, then a ripstop nylon covering which is waterproof, that is 9 feet long and 60 inches wide. On top of that we have a velour covering the same size. I know, that sounds like it is way big, but she cannot move herself at all and when she is raised up in the bed, she will slide down to the foot, no matter what sheet is under her. The mattress cover is slick and the ripstop nylon is slick, which helps me to move her in bed. I always have the rails up, don't want her to fall out of bed. Having extra fabric under her, hanging over the foot of the bed, means that I won't be pulling it out from under her when I move her up in bed by myself, as I do stand at the head of the bed and pull the sheets under her and not under her arms.I will try to post a picture later.....might be easier to understand in a picture.Sept 2nd update The ripstock nylon is similar to the slide sheet sold here on amazon. I bought 2 of those in the past and they are expensive. The nylon fabric mentioned in the above review was purchased by the yard elsewhere, trimmed side to side with pinking shears, so no sewing necessary. It is 60 inches wide and the same fabric used to waterproof outdoor gear, like tents and jackets. Very thin, sheer type fabric and really strong, can't tear it at all. And it is a more reasonable price than the slide sheets. You need 2 layers under the person, so one slides over the other, or in the case of this mattress, which has a nylon cover, one layer is all you need.

Very poor quality! Do not buy this mattress. The alternating pressure stopped working on the first mattress we ordered after 10 days. We ordered a replacement and the alternating pressure never worked. Plus Amazon required us to box and return both which is very difficult to do once air has been in the mattress. And the manufacturer never responded to my attempts to do any troubleshooting.

Thank you Amazon for getting this here in 24 hours or less on my mother‘s 99th birthday!!! She is due to return from the hospital any moment ! So far it’s inflating without a hitch and feels very comfortable.

Incredibly easy to set up. Everything comes in a single box which isn't heavy at all.Works well.Whatever you do, choose a mattress with "low air loss" -- do not buy a mattress that ONLY offers alternating pressure!There is good evidence from studies that "low air loss" mattresses help prevent and heal bed sores, but no good evidence for alternating pressure.This one has both. you can disable the alternating pressure if you like)The low air loss on this mattress is CONTINUOUS, which is a good thing!Some other mattresses (such as several from invacare) have low air loss that is only "on demand" -- you have to push a button which then only activates it for perhaps 20 minutes. I believe continuous low air loss is sure to work more effectively.The noise is perhaps twice as loud as a big aquarium pump. I found I could eliminate much of the noise if I paid careful attention to the hose connector where it plugs into the pump, a slight gap will makes a loud hissing noise. Press it in well, or tie it if you have to, and no problem. There also are some vibrations generated that propagate through the bed frame, but aren't felt by the patient unless they lean on a rail.If you had absolutely no other noise generating devices you still might be annoyed by it, but I'm managing to sleep fine in the same room.What is low air loss? There are zillions of tiny holes on the mattress constantly emitting small amounts of air, which prevents and heals bed sores by keeping skin cool and dry.In order for a low air loss mattress to effectively prevent bed sores, you need to minimize the amount of material between the patient and mattress!That means ideally a thin cotton sheet only, or even no sheet and only underpad if there is an existing sore. I'm also using a thin disposable bed pad, and looking to buy a variety specially designed to breathe well for this purpose. Update: Am using kendall "maxiflo", specially designed for low air loss matresses -- good results.In the event of a power outage, the mattress would eventually deflate creating an uncomfortable and unsafe surface, so that's something to think about.It'd probably be ok for a bit, but I have a foam mattress I can swap in if we get stuck with a long outage. Haven't been through it yet.Update: I bought a yamaha 2000 backup generator converted to run on propane, enough to keep refrigerator going too.Other recommendations for bed sore prevention: Baza Perineal Lotion after regular changes (moisture barrier). Sage "prevalon" heel protector (heel & tailbone are 2 most common bed sores)For bed sore treatment: xenaderm ointment (prescription only). Keep pressure off, regular turns every 2 hours, cool & dry.Low air loss is no substitute for regular turns but does really help

as expected. all good.