Guides › Air mattress for bed sores: the complete guide
Air mattress for bed sores: the complete guide
How an alternating air mattress protects the skin, bubble vs tubular, setting it up, and what it can’t replace.
1Air mattress for bed sores
An alternating air mattress inflates and deflates rows of cells every few minutes, so no part of the body stays under pressure for long. It helps prevent bed sores and supports healing, but does not replace turning and skin care.
Bedridden, paralysed, very thin or elderly patients, and those with existing sores.
For prevention and low risk.
For existing sores and high-risk patients.
- Sore getting bigger or smelly
- Fever with a bed sore
- Black or deep wound
2Problems and fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Pump runs, mattress flat | Tubes loose or kinked; check both connectors. | |
| Patient feels the bed frame | Pressure too low for weight; set higher or check for a leak. | |
| Hissing sound | Puncture; most cells can be patched or replaced. | |
| Pump noisy | Place it on a soft cloth; noise grows as the pump wears. |
3Air mattress on rent or buy: price in Delhi
For short recovery, rent. For long-term bedridden care, many families buy, because the mattress is used by one patient. We deliver, place it on the bed and set the pressure for the patient's weight.
4How to clean an air mattress
Wipe the surface with mild soap water; dry well.
Pins, sharp objects or a heater near it.
One thin cotton sheet only; thick layers cancel the benefit.
5What is an air mattress and how does it work?
A small pump fills alternate cells of the mattress every few minutes, so pressure keeps moving and no part of the skin stays squeezed for long. It helps prevent bed sores in patients who can’t turn themselves.
6Bubble or tubular
Lower cost, for patients at risk who spend part of the day out of bed.
Bigger cells, deeper support, for bed-bound patients or those who already have a sore.
Ask us what is free today
Ask us what is free today
7Set it up
- On top of the bed mattress Pump side at the foot end, tubes free of kinks.
- One thin sheet No thick blankets underneath the patient.
- Set the weight Dial to the patient’s weight if the pump has one.
- Check by hand Slide a hand under the hips: you should feel air, not the bed.
8What it can’t do
It reduces pressure but doesn’t replace turning, dry skin, good food and water. Keep turning the patient unless the doctor says otherwise.
- A red patch that doesn’t fade in 30 minutes
- An open wound or blister on the back, hips or heels
9Air mattress near me: how to get one today
Questions families ask
Is the pump noisy?
A soft hum, quieter than a fan.
Written for families by the MedStay team. Follow your own doctor’s prescription.