What Is a Ripple Mattress?
A ripple mattress is an alternating pressure air mattress with an electric pump, used to prevent and help treat bedsores in bedridden patients. The pump inflates and deflates two sets of air cells in turn, so no part of the body carries weight for more than a few minutes. It lies on top of an existing mattress and is also called a ripple bed, ripple air mattress or pressure mattress. In Kenya a complete set costs about KSh 5,000 to KSh 13,000. Ripple Mattresses Kenya supplies one for KSh 6,000 with pump and a 6-month warranty.
A ripple mattress is an air cell mattress with a pump that keeps moving pressure around the body of someone who lies in bed most of the day. Two sets of cells take turns inflating every few minutes, so the skin over the hips, back and heels gets regular rest from load. That prevents bedsores. It goes on top of a normal or hospital mattress and must stay switched on day and night.
How a ripple mattress works
The mattress is made of rows of air cells split into two sets, A and B. Two air tubes connect them to an electric pump at the foot of the bed.
- The pump inflates set A while set B lets air out.
- A few minutes later it reverses: B inflates, A deflates.
- The full cycle repeats every 6 to 12 minutes, day and night.
At any moment half the cells carry the patient and the skin over the other half has no load and full blood flow. Over an hour every part of the back, hips and heels gets several rest periods. That stops the tissue damage that turns into bedsores.
What comes in a ripple mattress set
| Air cell mattress | Waterproof PVC pad with rows of cells. Lies on top of the existing mattress |
|---|---|
| Pump | Electric, 240V, runs continuously. Has a dial to set firmness for the patient's weight |
| Air tubes | Two tubes connecting the cell sets to the pump |
| Flaps | Tuck under the base mattress at the head and foot so the pad does not slide |
Ours comes as a complete set for KSh 6,000 with setup support and a 6-month warranty. See how to operate the pump.
What a ripple mattress is used for
- Bedridden patients at home after a stroke, a fracture or major surgery
- Elderly parents who spend most of the day in bed
- Patients who cannot turn themselves, including spinal injury and coma
- Palliative and long-term care
- Patients who already have bedsores, alongside wound care. See ripple mattress for bedsores
- Hospital wards and care homes
Other names for a ripple mattress
You may hear any of these in a hospital, a shop or on a discharge note. They are the same device.
| Ripple bed or ripple bed mattress | Common in Kenyan shops. Same mattress and pump, not a separate bed |
|---|---|
| Ripple air mattress | Used to separate it from foam mattresses |
| Pressure mattress or pressure bed | Used by nurses. See pressure mattress price in Kenya |
| Alternating pressure mattress | Clinical and procurement name. See alternating pressure mattress |
| Anti-bedsore or anti-decubitus mattress | Medical name, from decubitus ulcer meaning pressure sore |
| Lipo, ripo or ripples mattress | How many people say ripple mattress out loud in Kenya |
What a ripple mattress is not
- Not a camping air bed. A camping air mattress holds still air. A ripple mattress needs its pump running to work.
- Not a replacement for turning. The patient still needs repositioning and daily skin checks. The mattress makes the gaps between turns safer.
- Not a full mattress on its own. It is an overlay that goes on top of a normal or hospital mattress.
Bubble or tubular?
Bubble cell sets have small round cells about 6cm high and suit most home care up to about 135kg. Tubular column sets have taller tubes, 10cm and above, for high-risk and heavier patients. The full comparison is on bubble vs tubular ripple mattress.
How much does a ripple mattress cost in Kenya?
About KSh 5,000 to KSh 13,000 for a complete set with pump, depending on type. Ripple Mattresses Kenya supplies a complete bubble set for KSh 6,000, down from KSh 8,500, delivered the same day in Nairobi and paid after you inspect it. See the ripple mattress price in Kenya guide.
Order a ripple mattress with pump
Complete set at KSh 6,000, down from KSh 8,500. Same-day delivery in Nairobi, pay on delivery after you inspect it. Countrywide courier after a phone confirmation.
Common questions
What does a ripple mattress do?
It keeps shifting the patient's weight between two sets of air cells, so no patch of skin stays under load long enough to form a bedsore. The pump runs the cycle every 6 to 12 minutes.
Is a ripple bed the same as a ripple mattress?
Yes. Ripple bed, ripple bed mattress and ripple air mattress all mean the air cell mattress and pump set. It goes on top of the bed you already have.
Does a ripple mattress need a pump?
Yes. The pump is what makes the cells alternate. Without it running, the mattress is a flat air pad with no pressure relief.
Who needs a ripple mattress?
Anyone who spends most of the day in bed and cannot change position easily: stroke patients, the elderly, patients after surgery or a fracture, and anyone with or at risk of bedsores.
Does a ripple mattress help with back pain?
It is designed for pressure relief, not to treat back pain. For a patient in bed all day it eases the soreness of lying in one position. For ongoing back pain, see a doctor.