Abstract: A low air-loss mattress comprises a containment envelope enclosing two lengthwise extending inflatable side chambers each connected to receive air under pressure from a source and each connected to supply such air under pressure to one or more laterally extending inflatable air sacks positioned between the two side chambers. Each air sack is formed with a multiplicity of holes through which air can leave the mattress.

Abstract: An air-loss mattress (1) to which air under pressure is supplied from a source, control apparatus (2) for controlling the supply of air under pressure from the source to the air-loss mattress through a connector which form part of the mattress, and means included in the control apparatus for setting a required pressure of air flow to the mattress, the air-loss mattress being characterized in that it includes a manifold conduit (25) connected to the source of air under pressure through an outlet pipe (26) of the control apparatus, an open-ended tube (27) connected at one end to pressure recording means of the control apparatus with its free end positioned within the manifold conduit (25) to provide a direct measure of the pressure of air present within this manifold, and means for automatically varying the rate at which air is supplied to the mattress from the source in dependence upon differences existing between the pressure recorded by the pressure recording means and the set pressure in a sense to minimize