How to Change Pressure Settings on a Resmed AirSense 10
To change therapy pressure: Press and hold the Home button and Control Dial simultaneously for 3 seconds to access the Clinical Menu. Only adjust under your doctor’s guidance.
To adjust EPR (comfort setting): Press the Control Dial from the Home screen → My Options → EPR. No special access required.
The Resmed AirSense 10 is one of the most widely used CPAP machines for treating obstructive sleep apnea. As an AutoSet device, it continuously adjusts pressure in real time to match your breathing — but there are two separate settings you may want to modify: your prescribed therapy pressure and your EPR comfort setting.
Therapy pressure is your clinician-set air level in cmH₂O. Changing it requires entering the Clinical Menu and should only be done under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
EPR (Expiratory Pressure Relief) is a comfort feature that softens the pressure when you breathe out, making therapy feel more natural. This can be adjusted directly from the standard “My Options” menu — no special access required.
If you’re new to CPAP therapy and finding it hard to breathe out against the air pressure, EPR is almost always the right place to start. This guide walks you through both settings with step-by-step instructions.
How to Change Therapy Pressure on the Resmed AirSense 10
Only change your prescribed therapy pressure under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Incorrect pressure settings can reduce therapy effectiveness and negatively impact your health.
To change the therapy pressure on your Resmed AirSense 10, you must enter the Clinical Menu. Follow these steps:
1. Access the Home Screen: Ensure the device is plugged in and the home screen is visible.
2. Press and Hold: Simultaneously press the Home button and the Control Dial for 3 seconds.
3. Enter Settings: The screen will display “Settings.” Press the dial to select it.
4. Adjust Pressure: Scroll to the Pressure or Min/Max Pressure setting. Click the dial and turn it to your prescribed level.
5. Save and Exit: Scroll to the bottom to exit, or press the Home button to return to the patient view.
What is the Most Common Pressure Setting?
For most sleep apnea patients, CPAP pressure settings range between 6 and 14 cmH₂O, with an average of 10 cmH₂O. Your doctor will prescribe the lowest effective setting for your specific needs. If your current setting is causing discomfort, always consult your doctor before making changes.
Resmed AirSense 10 Pressure Too High?
If the air pressure feels too high when falling asleep, try these two adjustments before calling your doctor:
• Enable Ramp Time: Starts therapy at a lower, more comfortable pressure and gradually increases it over 20–45 minutes as you fall asleep.
• Increase EPR to Level 3: If the pressure feels high only when you exhale, increasing Expiratory Pressure Relief to Level 3 will significantly reduce that “suffocating” sensation.
Resmed AirSense 10 Pressure Too Low?
If you’re still experiencing apnea events or waking up tired, your prescribed pressure may need to be increased. Do not adjust therapy pressure on your own — contact your doctor or sleep clinic. They can review your AHI data from the MyAir app and adjust your prescription accordingly.
Step-by-Step Video Tutorial to Changing AirSense 10 Pressure Settings & EPR
What Is EPR (Expiratory Pressure Relief) on the Resmed AirSense 10?
EPR, or Expiratory Pressure Relief, is a built-in comfort feature that automatically reduces air pressure when you exhale, then returns to your prescribed pressure when you inhale. It makes breathing during CPAP therapy feel more natural — less like you’re pushing air out against a wall.
Important: EPR does not change your prescribed therapy pressure. It only affects the exhale phase of your breathing cycle.
Example: If your prescribed pressure is 12 cmH₂O and EPR is set to Level 2, the machine delivers 12 cmH₂O when you inhale and drops to 10 cmH₂O when you exhale — then immediately returns to 12 on your next breath.
EPR Settings: Levels 0–3 Explained
| EPR Level | Pressure Drop | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 0 (Off) | No reduction | Users comfortable at their full prescribed pressure |
| 1 (Low) | 1 cmH₂O drop | Mild discomfort when exhaling |
| 2 (Medium) | 2 cmH₂O drop | Moderate difficulty exhaling — good starting point for most |
| 3 (Maximum) | 3 cmH₂O drop | Strong feeling of fighting the airflow on exhale |
TIP Pro Tip: Not sure where to start? Most new CPAP users begin at EPR Level 2. If you still feel like you're breathing against the air after a few nights, move up to Level 3. EPR Level 3 is the most common recommendation for users who feel like they're "suffocating" or "fighting" the machine on exhale.
How to Adjust EPR on the Resmed AirSense 10
Unlike therapy pressure, EPR can be changed directly from the standard patient menu — no Clinical Menu access required.
1. From the Home screen, press the Control Dial to open the menu.
2. Scroll to My Options and press the dial to select it.
3. Scroll to EPR and press the dial.
4. Turn the dial to select your desired EPR level (0, 1, 2, or 3).
5. Press the dial to confirm, then press the Home button to return to the main screen.
Your new EPR setting takes effect the next time you start therapy.
EPR On or Off — Which Is Right for You?
This is one of the most common questions we receive. Here’s a simple way to decide:
• Turn EPR on if: You feel breathless, anxious, or like you’re working hard to exhale during therapy. This is especially common in the first few weeks of CPAP use.
• Leave EPR off if: You’ve been on CPAP therapy for a while, feel comfortable at your prescribed pressure, and your sleep data shows good results.
• If EPR at Level 3 still isn’t enough: This may indicate that BiPAP therapy — which offers fully separate inhale and exhale pressures — could be more appropriate. Speak with your doctor or contact our team at The CPAP Shop.
Does EPR Affect My Sleep Apnea Treatment?
For most patients, EPR at Level 1 or 2 has no meaningful impact on therapy effectiveness. At Level 3, some patients with complex sleep apnea patterns may see a minor effect — which is why your doctor’s guidance matters.
Your Resmed AirSense 10 records nightly data including AHI (Apnea-Hypopnea Index), leak rate, and pressure levels. This data is available through the MyAir app and can be reviewed by your doctor to confirm your EPR setting isn’t interfering with your treatment outcomes.
Other Comfort Features on the Resmed AirSense 10
AutoRamp
AutoRamp is designed for patients who have difficulty falling asleep with full therapy pressure. When enabled, therapy begins at a lower default pressure of 4 cmH₂O. As the machine detects you’ve fallen asleep, air pressure gradually increases until it reaches your prescribed setting. This lets you drift off comfortably without compromising treatment.
Heated Humidifier
The Resmed AirSense 10 includes an integrated heated humidifier that adds moisture to the air delivered during therapy. This reduces common complaints like dry mouth, nasal congestion, and throat irritation — particularly helpful for patients who sleep with their mouth open or use higher pressure settings.
Climate Control
Climate Control automatically adjusts the temperature and humidity of the airflow based on your environment and breathing patterns, ensuring consistent comfort throughout the night without manual adjustments.
MyAir App — Track and Optimize Your Therapy
The Resmed AirSense 10 connects via Bluetooth to the MyAir app, which gives you a nightly sleep score, AHI data, mask seal readings, and usage hours. Your doctor can also access this data remotely to fine-tune your settings without an in-clinic visit.
Resmed AirSense 10 vs. AirSense 11 — EPR and Pressure Settings
If you’re considering an upgrade, the Resmed AirSense 11 continues to offer EPR and all the same core pressure adjustment features as the AirSense 10. The AirSense 11 adds an updated touchscreen interface, improved AutoSet algorithm, and enhanced connectivity — but the process for adjusting EPR and pressure settings is similar.
Both models require a valid prescription for purchase. Our team at The CPAP Shop can help you determine whether upgrading makes sense for your therapy needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Can I use a CPAP on a plane? | Yes. The FAA allows CPAP machines on all commercial flights as medical devices and they do not count toward your carry-on limit. Most travel CPAP machines are FAA-approved for in-flight use. Bring your prescription and device manual when flying. |
| What is the most common CPAP pressure setting? | For most sleep apnea patients, CPAP pressure ranges between 6 and 14 cmH2O, with an average of 10 cmH2O. Your doctor will prescribe the lowest setting that still delivers effective treatment. |
| Does EPR affect my sleep apnea treatment? | For most patients, EPR at Level 1 or 2 has no meaningful impact on therapy effectiveness. At Level 3, some patients with complex patterns may notice a minor effect. Your Resmed AirSense 10 records nightly AHI data your doctor can review. |
| What if EPR Level 3 is not enough? | If maximum EPR doesn't relieve your discomfort, you may be a candidate for BiPAP therapy, which offers fully separate inhale and exhale pressures. Speak with your doctor or contact The CPAP Shop team for guidance. |
| Can I change my pressure settings without a doctor? | You can adjust EPR settings yourself from the My Options menu. However, changing your prescribed therapy pressure requires Clinical Menu access and should only be done under the guidance of your healthcare provider. |
| What is the difference between EPR and Ramp Time? | EPR reduces pressure during the exhale phase throughout the night. Ramp Time starts therapy at a lower pressure (default 4 cmH2O) and gradually increases to your prescribed level as you fall asleep. They serve different purposes and can be used together. |
Our knowledgeable CPAP specialists are available to help you find the right settings, accessories, or machine for your therapy needs.
Call: 866-414-9700
Email: questions@thecpapshop.com
