Drive Medical 14001E Med-Aire Alternating Pressure Pump and Pad System, 78" x 36" (Variable Pressure Pump)

As long as the pump is on the carpet under the foot of my bed, I can't hear it at all or only faintly so, and saying that, I will add that I'm probably the pickiest one to comment about the pump noise! Even though the pump is fairly quiet, I am very sensitive to noises and I don't like the noise of the pump. I learned through trial and error to NEVER put the pump near my head, nor even the end of the mattress where the pump is attached! I hear it too well! If you don't hear well, this should never be a problem for you! ;) But read on for a great tip about the end-all "pump" solution for me!I bought this pad in lieu of spending big buck$ on another bed that I can't be guaranteed that I'll like. I thought I'd take a chance on spending much, much less and I am soooooooo happy I did! I actually bought this pad/pump set and 2 more pads (then I found a 2nd pump at a thrift store). I bought one pad for my Airstream camper (a XL twin bed that is curved at one end) and one for my bed at home, as well as a spare. My camper bed was too firm and my $2000 bed at home is fairly soft, but it's about 12 yrs old and it has a definite dip where my hips go! I have good quality 1" to 1 1/2" memory foam pads on both beds, but that just didn't do the trick for either bed. So I put these pads directly on my mattresses, topped them with the memory foam, then the mattress protectors and sheets. I've now been sleeping on these pads for about a month, in both locations, and I love, love, love them! Just what I've needed for many years!Now, FOR A TERRIFIC TIP!!! (This may not apply to those who are bedridden and need the pump for alternating firmness, but for people like me who have back/neck problems, and are only in bed about 8 hrs/night, it's great!) I didn't like the alternating pressure; I wanted the pad to be inflated to the same firmness all the time. So, once I slept on the pad long enough to figure out my preferred firmness, I turned the pump off and quickly removed the air tube from the pump and one side of the pad, then plugged the matching tube back into the pad. (The tube is double sided, so you have to make sure you get the correct side or the air will leak out.) So now what I have is a pad that is inflated (and capped off) to my liking, instead of having a pump running all the time, keeping the pad alternately inflated. And if it ever loses some air and needs re-inflating, I'll just reattach the tubing to the pump and inflate it to my liking again, then put the tube back into the pad again. But, so far, so good. It's holding the air without any leakage. Note: you have to push the tubes on really hard the first few times, but I've seated them well and they have stayed put.You know, if you don't need the alternating pressure feature, I think you could get one of these pads and not have to purchase a medical pump at all. You could probably use any number of pumps, like one for inflating camping pads (that have the different sized tips). Then all you would have to purchase is a 6" or so piece of tubing from a home store to cap off the pad.BTW, the grand total for the 3 pads and 1 pump was just under $87! What a great deal/sale that was!Now, the only complaint I have (and always had) is the heat that the memory foam holds in, which I understand is also a complaint for the air pads for those who sleep with only a sheet between the pad and their bodies. It's great in the wintertime, but not the rest of the year! Maybe I will try some "cool sheets" next.

The mattress provides support for the back and at the same time enough softness to prevent sore pressure points.I have used all kinds of mattresses' to relieve pain due to nerve irritation caused by inflammation. Mostly in lower back and hips.Memory foam works but is far to hot.Started using a water pad for cooling the foam to keep it firmer. Works great until the pad leaks. At 40.00 for a replacement every 3-4 months it became to costly. If I would have had a standard mattress the last leak would have ruined it. And a soaked calking is very difficult to move. Thank goodness it was foam and dried in a day with fans blowing under it.I researched the alternating pressure mattress and decided to try the lowest cost option.To see if this type of pad would work.And it does.As to the longitivtiy, that remains to be seen. Pads can be replaced for 15.00. If that's yearly it's a bargain.The pump is very quiet. But I feel some vibration at my feet. I like it.Now the skinny on overall comfort.I have firmness between soft and medium. I'm approx. 140 lbsI suggest a padding of some sort over the mattress pad to help level it out.When first laying down (on my back) I feel the firm pillow pockets in the pad. The are rather hard.Even with a high loft pad over it. The pad cycles and they deflate a little. And it is ok.Roll onto my side and it is comfortable no pressure on the hip so I go to sleep. And I sleep nearly all nite. Waking usually once.The heat issue... As it is winter now and cool I have had no real problem with overheating.Do I wake up warm yes, but a female at 65 can expect that.I will add a large cold pack this summer and see if that works to control over heating.I have no pain in the morning. This in itself is why I bought the pad. Very little stiffness and it is gone 10 minutes or so after moving about.I can recommend this for sciatica suffers. After 18 years of it and many mattresses from standard camping air mattresses (all leak)to memory foam (to hot)Water pad on memory foam. (leaks) expensive to replace.To regular mattress with pillow top. ( pillow top sags at the hips after a few months)They can be flipped and turned but still haven't had any luck in my price range that last.These issues lead me to this type of air pad.So far so good at 3 weeks or so it works. I'm happy.Worth a try at under 100.00.Some one mentioned a possible weakness in the on off switch. I use a bus bar (multi plug bar) and turn it off there. No problem.Slipping. I put a mat used for rugs under it. No slipping.