Blogs > Sleeping with CPAP

Assistant News Editor Lee Dryden was diagnosed with sleep apnea and uses a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine to assist with breathing while sleeping. From a layman’s point of view, he will discuss the benefits, issues, challenges and frustrations of sleeping while wearing a mask.

Thursday, January 8, 2015

CPAP theft

   As a journalist, I've written or edited thousands of police blotter items during the past 20 years.
   But I saw something today on a Wisconsin newspaper website that I've never seen before - and it relates to this blog.
   Yep, someone swiped a CPAP.
   Wauwatosa Now reporter Heather Ronaldson compiled a list of crimes this week that includes the following in the theft section, "A CPAP breathing device was stolen from an unlocked 2011 Saab convertible while it was parked in the 4700 block of North 100th Street between 10 p.m. Dec. 28 and 8 a.m. Dec. 29."
   How cold is that during the holiday season?
   Not sure what the black market is for CPAP but it is likely of little value to the thief who probably grabbed it because it looks expensive. Sadly, the machine is likely in a garbage can somewhere.
   Moral of the story: Use your CPAP (why was it in the car during sleeping hours?) and don't leave the pricey life-saving device in your unlocked car.