The best approach to determine this is simply by touching and examining the mattress. If the mattress is incredibly firm, you probably have too much air in the mattress because any additional weight will make it pop. Keep an eye out for bulging or stress marks to determine whether the plastic is straining. As you displace the air, remember that the mattress will feel a little firmer once you lie down.
There is no need to apply pressure to or within the air mattress because it is enclosed by its skin membrane, which is flexible but often cannot be extended. All that is required is to fill the air mattress to the brim. The bounded air, not the initial pressure, is the operating principle of an air mattress. There wouldn’t be any support or back pressure if one ever attempted to sit in unbounded air space because as one descended into space, the air underneath would escape and be displaced.
The mattress shouldn’t be filled too much concerning the surrounding atmospheric pressure, but rather filled to the same atmospheric pressure as the outside environment, sufficient to maintain the thin, flexible, unexpandable membrane. The system is then temporarily compressed while the user sits, automatically producing the necessary back pressure, until a steady-state condition develops to support the person’s weight.
Have you overinflated the air mattress?
When air mattresses are fully inflated, the seams are under excessive tension. It is advised to only blow your air mattress to about 90% of its capacity, especially the first time you use it. The likelihood of the mattress rupturing under pressure increases as you overfill the mattress. Please read the complete instruction handbook that explains how to properly inflate your bed to ensure that the hospital bed mattress you use will perform at its best.
Any air mattress will sag quickly the first time it is used, especially a new one. The mattress is undergoing a physical shift, although it looks to have lost some air. Its seams, cells, and other components will require some time to expand and shape themselves appropriately. It would help if you first blew it up, allowing the air mattress to expand into its natural position. Then, for a day or two, avoid placing any weight on top of it so that it can do so.
How to fill up your air mattress
Pushing air into the mattress (and preventing it from escaping) is all it takes to inflate an air mattress, whether you’re using a pump made for mattresses or your tools. Here are some of the important steps to fill up your air mattress.
1.) Activate the valve cover
Most air mattresses either include a one-way air valve (which makes it easy to fill the mattress with air but prevents air from leaving) or a small hole located on the side of the mattress. You should find this and remove the protective cap as soon as possible since you need an opening to inflate the mattress.
- Be aware that some contemporary mattresses come with pumps integrated into the side of the mattress. Flip the “on” switch, assuming the pump is powered by an outlet or batteries, to begin inflating the mattress in this situation.
2.) Put the pump in
The following step is the same whether you use an alternating air pressure mattress pad with a pump: place the pump’s nozzle into the valve opening. The material surrounding the valve and the pump should form a tight seal. If it doesn’t, air could leak out around the pump, making it more difficult to inflate the mattress properly.
- Try wrapping the pump with duct tape to keep it seated in the valve if you can’t create a tight seal around it (for example, if you’re using a pump that wasn’t designed for the mattress). However, this may not work if the pump is lost.
3.) Start pumping if you’re using a manual pump
You might only have a manual pump available if you’re dealing with an old air mattress or if you misplaced your electric pump and had to buy a replacement. Manual pumps are typically fairly successful in their own right, even though they aren’t as quick and simple as electric pumps. The following are the two primary manual pumps used to fill air mattresses:
- Foot pumps: These devices typically consist of a foot pedal connected to a hose and nozzle; continually pressing the pedal forces air into the mattress.
- Hand pumps are typically big, standing pumps that move “up-and-down.” Smaller, manually driven bicycle pumps are, nonetheless, occasionally utilized.
4.) Turn on the automated pump if you’re using one
A modern electric air pump is already included with most air mattresses. If you’re using something like this, switch it on after making sure a plug or batteries power it. The mattress should start to inflate right away.
- You may want to be cautious when using electric pumps in areas where people are sleeping because they are frequently loud.
5.) Return the latch’s screw
Remove the pump once the mattress has been filled until it is fully inflated and firm to the touch. Then, screw the valve or hole cap back to seal the air inside. You are now ready to go to bed! Get some blankets, pillows, and bed linens.
- One-way valves on air mattresses automatically trap air within, so be aware of this. It’s nice to think that screw back needs to be screwed back to the mattress to add a layer of defense against deflation. On the other hand, mattresses without valves will start to deflate right away after the pump is withdrawn. Therefore you’ll need to put the lid back on rapidly!
Final Thoughts
Purchasing an air mattress with an integrated pump is among the simplest and most practical ways to inflate an air mattress. A built-in pump is an internal, electrically, or battery-operated pump that is included inside the air mattress. You may change an air mattress to meet a person’s preferences for firmness, making them a practical solution to arrange comfortable resting quarters for unexpected visitors.
A great investment is air mattresses. They have a long lifespan if properly used. You should research which type is best for you and learn how to maintain it to ensure that you get the most out of your mattress for many years. AvaCare Medical offers different kinds of mattresses according to your needs. For more information, please call us at 1-877-813-7799 or email us at info@avacaremedical.com.
