Drive Medical Med Aire Alternating Pressure Pump and Pad System, Variable Pressure with End Flaps, 123" x 36" x 2.5"

I am very pleased with this air mattress. I use this for my elderly mother who isn't able to move around when in bed or in a chair. It seems to make her more comfortable, and her skin no longer turns pinkish when she is in the same position for a couple of hours. She doesn't have bedsores, but I can see how it would be effective in preventing and treating them.The only thing I don't like about it is it makes it harder to get her positioned in bed, but that isn't the fault of the product. In fact, I have been impressed at how durable it is. I have to lift, turn, and position my mother by myself since she can't help, and I have yanked, slid, and pushed on the air mattress and I can say it tolerates a lot of abuse.I have even gotten it tangled in the wheels of the wheelchair a couple of times, and although it now has scuff marks, it has no punctures. I use this in her bed, recliner, and even the wheelchair (although the instructions say to use it flat) and it works great. I have run the pump 24 hours straight for several days at a time, only turning it off to move the mattress to a new location because it is to hard to position her on it with it inflated first.Even if the hard use I give it causes it to break down in a month or so, it is worth it to me. Plus the replacement pads are only $20. Also, the pump is very quiet. At first I was convinced the thing was broken because, even though it inflated, I couldn't hear the pump doing anything. If there is no background noise, I can hear it though and it sounds a lot like an aquarium pump.So I give this five stars. It is one of the few purchases I have made that exceeded my expectations. Especially since it is only around $40, it is worth it to keep bedsores at bay.

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.

I've used these for my father & my daughter that was bedridden for multiple years. You cannot find a better alternating air mattress on the market that works this well for this price for as long as the system works. The 1st one I bought for my bedridden daughter. Hers ran 24/7 for 2 years with no problems from the motor! A couple incidents of her cats putting a hole in the mattress but the replacement mattresses run less than $20. She never developed a bed sore while laying on the mattress. It's a little stiff but easily covered with a mattress pad & are super durable. The 2nd one I bought was for my 250 lb father & same results as daughter's machine..it ran 24/7 for almost 2 years before his passing & I use the his motor to this day on my bed because it helps my back out so much! I get much better sleep on this system than I have off any other mattress & topper. When this motor dies (been running for almost 3 yrs & still going strong 24/7) I'll happily pay for a replacement system immediately! I don't have a footboard or anywhere to hang mine so I just flipped it on it's side, tubes up & slide it under the edge of the bed making sure I didn't crimp the air outflow & you can't even see it under there. I do recommend a medium weight mattress pad but other than that I can't fault this product at all at such a great price. I recommend for any caregiver, bed bound patient or back pain sufferer..this product will make your life better & your patient a lot more comfortable & healthy. I'm actually buying a 3rd one for a friend that recently had a stroke & heart problems & sits up most days in his recliner. Not sure if it will work as well but at this price if it even gives him a small amount of relief it'll be a gift well given.