POWERbreathe K-Series User manual

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LIVE FEEDBACK SOFTWARE
WITH
TM
The world’s 1st intelligent
digital breathing trainerSM
K4

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Large text version available at powerbreathe.com

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Contents
1. Product Description.................................................. 2
2. Introduction.............................................................. 3
3. Precautions.............................................................. 4
4. Quick Start Guide ..................................................... 6
5. Basics...................................................................... 8
5.1 Charging ............................................................ 8
5.2 Buttons and Display Symbols ............................. 9
5.3 Menu System................................................... 10
6. Before Training....................................................... 11
6.1 Profile .............................................................. 11
6.2 Setting Training Load........................................ 11
6.3 Automatic Set-up ............................................. 12
6.4 Manual Set-up.................................................. 13
6.5 Pacing Your Breathing....................................... 14
6.6 Disabling Pacing Guidance ............................... 15
6.7 Disabling Button Sounds .................................. 15
7. Training.................................................................. 16
7.1 Starting a Training Session ............................... 16
7.2 Holding the Device Correctly............................. 17
7.3 Breathing Technique ......................................... 18
7.4 Using the Nose-clip.......................................... 19
7.5 Maintaining Your Breathing ............................... 19
8. After Training.......................................................... 20
8.1 Viewing Training Results………………..…..... 20
8.2 Deleting Training Session Results ..................... 21
8.3 About the Training Results ................................ 22
9. Modes ................................................................... 24
9.1 Test Mode ........................................................ 24
9.2 About the Test Results...................................... 25
9.3 Warm-up Mode................................................ 26
9.4 Cool-down Mode.............................................. 27
10. PC Connection and Software Installation ................ 28
11. Care and Maintenance ............................................ 29
11.1 Cleaning ........................................................ 29
11.2 Blocked Valve Head........................................ 30
11.3 Storage .......................................................... 30
11.4 Calibration ..................................................... 30
12. Technical Specifications ......................................... 31
13. Disposal................................................................. 33
14. About Inspiratory Muscle Training........................... 34
15. Troubleshooting and FAQs ...................................... 35
16. Warranty................................................................ 38
17. Customer Service Contact...................................... 39

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1. Product Description
Mouthpiece
LCD Screen
Charging LED
Air Inlet
Charge Socket
USB Cable
Valve Head
POWERbreathe
K4 Handset
Valve Head
POWERbreathe
K4 Handset
Cradle
Mains USB
Charger
(EU Version Shown)
Nose Clip

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2. Introduction
Dear Customer,
Thank you for purchasing the POWERbreathe K4 electronic inspiratory-muscle trainer.
The POWERbreathe K4 will make your breathing muscles stronger, leading to reduced breathlessness during exercise
or activity. This applies as much to committed athletes as it does to individuals with respiratory illnesses such as COPD
(chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
The POWERbreathe K4 uses an electronically controlled, rapid-response valve to create a resistance to inhalation.
This strengthens the breathing muscles by making them work harder, in much the same way as you might use weights
to increase the strength of your arm muscles. As you breathe through the POWERbreathe K4 you will notice that you
gradually have to work harder to breathe in. This is the effect of resistance training acting on the muscles used to inhale
(the diaphragm and ribcage muscles). When breathing out, there is no resistance and you can breathe out normally,
allowing the chest and breathing muscles to relax, naturally pushing the air from your lungs.
The POWERbreathe K4 training resistance is specifically designed to match the dynamic changes in breathing muscle
strength throughout your breath and can automatically adapt to increases in your inspiratory muscle strength at the
beginning of each training session. Results are displayed on screen following a training or test session, or can be
viewed ‘live’ using the Breathe-Link PC software supplied, allowing you to maximise your training performance.
The POWERbreathe K4 training regime of 30 breaths, twice a day typically takes only a few minutes a day and, used
properly, you should start to feel the benefits within just a few weeks. The POWERbreathe K4 can also be used to warm-up
and cool-down the breathing muscles before and after exercise.
To make sure you get the most from your POWERbreathe K4, please read this instruction booklet carefully and
take time to get used to the exercises.

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3. Precautions
The POWERbreathe K4 is suitable for almost anyone and will cause no harmful side effects when used properly.
Please read the following precautions to ensure that you use your POWERbreathe K4 safely and appropriately.
Contraindications:
Inspiratory muscle training, such as training with POWERbreathe, creates a
negative pressure inside the chest, throat, ears and sinuses. You should not
use POWERbreathe if you have any of the following:
• Ahistoryofspontaneouspneumothorax(acollapsedlungthatwasnot
due to traumatic injury e.g. broken rib)
• Acollapsedlungduetoatraumaticinjurythathasnothealedfully
• Abursteardrumthathasnothealedfully,oranyotherconditionof
the eardrum
Intended use:
• ThePOWERbreatheK4isdesignedforexercisingyourinspiratory
muscles only. No other use is intended or implied
• Thisproductisnotintendedtodiagnose,monitor,treat,cureorprevent
any disease
• ThePOWERbreatheK4isnotintendedforusebypersonswithreduced
physical, sensory or mental capabilities, unless they have been given
supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance by a person
responsible for their safety
• Anyonewhoisundertheageof16shouldonlyusethePOWERbreatheK4
with supervision from an adult
• ThePOWERbreatheK4containssmallpartsandisnotsuitablefor
children under 7 years
Caution:
• IfyoufeellightheadedordizzywhilsttrainingwithPOWERbreathe,slow
down your rate of breathing or pause until you have fully recovered
• Ifyouaresufferingfromacold,sinusitisorrespiratorytractinfection,
we advise that you do not use your POWERbreathe K4 until symptoms
have disappeared
• Someusersmayexperienceslighteardiscomfortwhentrainingwith
POWERbreathe, especially if they are recovering from a cold. This is
caused by inadequate equalisation of pressure between the mouth and
ears. If symptoms persist, please consult your doctor
• Topreventthepotentialtransmissionofinfections,werecommendthat
you do not share your POWERbreathe K4 mouthpiece or valve head with
other users, including family members
• WhilsttrainingwithPOWERbreatheK4youshouldfeelresistanceto
inhalation, but it should not be painful. If you should feel pain whilst
using the POWERbreathe K4, stop immediately and consult your doctor
• Donotmakechangestoanyprescribedmedicationorprescribed
treatment programme without consulting your doctor
• POWERbreatheismanufacturedinahygienicenvironment.However,
POWERbreathe is not provided sterile – we recommend that you clean
the mouthpiece prior to use

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• DonotusethePOWERbreatheK4whilsttakingpartinotheractivities
such as walking, running and driving
• Ifyouhaveapacemakerorothermedicalimplantcontainingmagnetsor
electronics, please consult with your doctor before using this product
If you have any doubts about the suitability of POWERbreathe for
you, or you have a medical condition, please consult your doctor.
Danger:
• Onlyusethemainsadaptersupplied(DCH3-050UK/EU/US/AU-0004)
• Theadaptercontainsatransformer.Donotcutofftheadaptertoreplace
itwithanotherplugasthiscausesahazardoussituation
• Theadaptertransformsthemainsvoltage(100-240Volts)toasafe
voltage(5V)
• Makesuretheadapterdoesnotgetwet
• Donotuseadamagedadapter
• AlwaysunplugyourPOWERbreathebeforecleaning
Electromagnetic Fields (EMF):
The POWERbreathe K4 complies with medical standards regarding
electromagneticelds(EN60601-1-2).Ifhandledproperlyand
according to the instructions in this user manual, the appliance is
safe to use.
Handling:
• Donotdrop,disassemble,open,crush,bend,deform,puncture,
shred, microwave, incinerate, paint or insert foreign objects into the
POWERbreathe K4
• ThePOWERbreatheK4ValveHeadisdesignedforregularcleaningand
disinfection(seesection11.1)inordertomaintainhygieneandcorrect
operation. However, the POWERbreathe K4 handset is not waterproof
and should not be submerged or exposed to liquids

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1. Recharge
Plug in the mini-USB charger provided.
Leavetochargefullyfor16hours–thered
LED will switch off when the device
is fully charged.
4. Quick Start Guide
The quick start section is provided for quick reference only. We recommend that you read the full
manual before starting training for the first time.
3. Start the training mode
Ensure that the mouthpiece and valve head
are located correctly on the handset, as
showninsection7.1.Press from the
screen to select .
2. Power on
Press and hold the button for
approximately1second.Pauseandwaitfor
the screen to appear.
iThe first time you switch on the device
you will be asked to enter your personal details
before continuing

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4. Inhale as hard, as fast and as
deeply as possible
Inhale as quickly and as deeply as possible
through the mouthpiece. Now breathe out
slowly until your lungs feel completely empty
then pause until you hear a beep (you may
remove the POWERbreathe from your mouth
duringexhalationifyouprefer).Repeatfor30
complete breaths.
iSeesection7.3fordetailedinformation
on breathing technique
5. View results
Onceyouhavecompleted30breaths,the
(results) menu will automatically be
displayed. Scroll between the different results
options ( , , ,
) using the button, then press
to view the highlighted result.
iSee section 8.1 for detailed information on
viewing training results
6. Clean the valve head
Once you have completed your training
session, remove the valve head and soak
it in warm water. Now rinse the valve head
thoroughly under warm running water then
leave on a clean towel to dry.
iSee section 11.1 for detailed cleaning
instructions

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5. Basics
5.1 Charging
Remove the POWERbreathe K4 and power adapter from the packaging. For portable use, recharge your POWERbreathe K4 by following the
instructionsbelow.Alternatively,thePOWERbreatheK4maybeusedwhilstconnectedtothemainsusingthepower/chargeadapterprovided.
4.Oncetheredcharginglighthasswitchedoff(upto16hours),
remove the power adapter from the wall socket and from the base of
the unit. Now replace the charging socket cover in the base of the
unit. Your POWERbreathe K4 is now ready for portable use.
iThe POWERbreathe K4 may also be charged from a PC or
laptop using the USB to mini-USB adapter cable provided.
Battery low warning:
Recharge the battery again when the battery level indicator shows
empty or when the battery low warning screen is displayed.
1.PlugtheUSBcableintotheadapter
and then plug the adapter into a suitable
wall socket.
2.Pulloutthechargingsocketcoverfrom
the base of the unit.
3.PlugtheotherendoftheUSBcableinto
the base of the unit. The red charging LED
will switch on to indicate that the device
is charging.
Battery low warning
screen
battery level indicator
(empty)