I bought this pad in lieu of spending big buck$ on another bed that I can't be guaranteed that I'll like. I thought I'd take a chance on spending much, much less and I am soooooooo happy I did! I actually bought 2 of these pads and 1 more pad/pump set (then I found a 2nd pump at a thrift store). I bought one pad for my Airstream camper (a XL twin bed that is curved at one end) and one for my bed at home, as well as a spare. My camper bed was too firm and my $2000 bed at home is fairly soft, but it's about 12 yrs old and it has a definite dip where my hips go! I have good quality 1" to 1 1/2" memory foam pads on both beds, but that just didn't do the trick for either bed. So I put these pads directly on my mattresses, topped them with the memory foam, then the mattress protectors and sheets. I've now been sleeping on these pads for about a month, in both locations, and I love, love, love them! Just what I've needed for many years! Now, FOR A TERRIFIC TIP!!! (This may not apply to those who are bedridden and need the pump for alternating firmness, but for people like me who have back/neck problems, and are only in bed about 8 hrs/night, it's great!) I didn't like the alternating pressure; I wanted the pad to be inflated to the same firmness all the time. So, once I slept on the pad long enough to figure out my preferred firmness, I turned the pump off and quickly removed the air tube from the pump and one side of the pad, then plugged the matching tube back into the pad. (The tube is double sided, so you have to make sure you get the correct side or the air will leak out.) So now what I have is a pad that is inflated (and capped off) to my liking, instead of having a pump running all the time, keeping the pad alternately inflated. And if it ever loses some air and needs re-inflating, I'll just reattach the tubing to the pump and inflate it to my liking again, then put the tube back into the pad again. But, so far, so good. It's holding the air without any leakage. Note: you have to push the tubes on really hard the first few times, but I've seated them well and they have stayed put. You know, if you don't need the alternating pressure feature, I think you could get one of these pads and not have to purchase a medical pump. You could probably use any number of pumps, like one for inflating camping pads (that have the different sized tips). Then all you would have to purchase is a 6" or so piece of tubing from a home store to cap off the pad. BTW, the grand total for the 3 pads and 1 pump was just under $87! What a great deal/sale that was! Note about the noise of the pump/s: OK, I'm probably the pickiest one to comment about the pump noise! Even though the pump is fairly quiet, I am very sensitive to noises and I don't like the noise of the pump. I learned through trial and error to NEVER put the pump near my head, nor even the end of the mattress where the pump is attached! I hear it too well! BUT, as long as the pump is on the carpet under the foot of my bed, I can't hear it at all or only faintly so. Now, the only complaint I have (and always had) is the heat that the memory foam holds in, which I understand is also a complaint for the air pads for those who sleep with only a sheet between the pad and their bodies. It's great in the wintertime, but not the rest of the year! Maybe I will try some "cool sheets" next.
