Friday, October 3, 2008

SWISS SLEEP SYSTEM VS. SAT BED

I was reading the comparison of Sat bed to Swiss Sleep System and found many incorrect and false statements. I wonder if such a company (SAT bed) that talks non-sense with no grounds at all can be considered a serious, reliable company with whom I will like to establish a commercial relation. Swiss Sleep System is a reliable company, Swiss own that is respectful to the competition and also since they carry high quality products has no need to chase the competition with false accusations.


1. An airbed, like SAT mattress can not be compared to a foam mattress

2. They suggest that there is a smell in the Swiss Sleep System mattress. There is absolutely no smell of the mattress and customers do not smell chemicals. The statement that the mattress is too firm and dense is not correct. One of the properties of viscoelastic foam is the temperature sensitive behaviour. That means that the viscoleastic foam conform itself to the body contours assures an optimal support of the body. See also explanations in point no. 9!

3.It is a lie that the viscoelastic foam used in the Swiss Sleep System mattress out-gases fumes. The product is absolutely safe. The viscoelastic foam even passes Ökotex Standard 100, Product Class I. Product class I is the same standard than for Baby-articles, that is for products which can come to contact with mucous membranes.

4. As declared already in 3., the viscoelastic foam passes Ökotex Standard 100, product class I. The criterias on that standard can be found in the internet. It is right that the chemical formulation is a secret. Furthermore, there is no declaration neither for SAT bed foam elements, such as 3’’ topper and the side rails.

5.Viscoelastic foam is not equal to viscoelastic foam. There are many “commodity” foams on the market. The viscoelastic foam used for the Swiss Sleep System mattresses is produced in Switzerland with pure and clean raw materials. The purity of the raw materials and highest standards regarding harmful substances and standards as well as the ISO 9001/2000 certified production process justifies the price. Contrary to this, what is based on oil are the Polyurethan foam and plastic hoses of the SAT airbed!

6. More than 70% of the people in Switzerland are sleeping on PUR-foam mattresses. We have no information that in Switzerland the risk of cancer is higher than in the United States with a ratio of more than 90% innerspring mattresses. Furthermore, Switzerland has one of the strictest law in view of environmental protection. If there were a healthy risk for the environment, workers or final consumers there would be no PUR-industry anymore! There are only a few foam manufacturers having all bedding products certified by Ökotex standard 100 as well as the SHE (Safety, Health, Environment) standard of certipur. Swiss Sleep Sytstem materials ARE.

7. Swiss sleep system's visco mattresses do not smell. It is a matter of fact that ordinary viscoleastic or foam mattress might emit a smell. This is not the case with swiss made viscoelastic and HR foams. The swiss foam technology assures no out-gazing or odour. The number volatile chemical compounds is completely negligible. The innocuousness is furthermore certified and approved by Ökotex Standard 100, product class I (Baby class!).
Furthermore, the SAT mattress contains solid PU-foam side rails as well as a 3’’ foam topper. SAT talks about high quality, environmental friendly, no odour etc, and flame retardant. Most of the foams which are treated for the flame retardant issues contain harmful substances. The human toxicological values and innocuousness of the Swiss Sleep System mattresses are approved and certified by independent test laboratories. Where are the certificates for the SAT bed. Do they have something to hide??

8.Tissue cells are very sensitive to pressure, which impairs blood circulation and oxygen supply. If the pressure is too strong, our brain receives a signal of pain and reacts with muscle tension and a change in position. Poor mattresses lead to a high number of changes in position and restless sleep. The result is often muscle tension and headaches. The Swiss Sleep System mattresses have a core of a specially developed visco-elastic foam, which reacts to body heat and adapts to the body’s anatomy.
The weight is spread out evenly on the entire supporting surface. Pressure points
are avoided, the body’s organs are set on low, and muscles relax. The body can
rest and regenerate well. The statement that the Swiss Sleep System mattress absorbs only weight is wrong. Furthermore, we want to point out that one of the main use of the swiss made viscoelastic foam is in hospitals for bedsore prevention. The most important fact for this prevention is the pressure release and certainly not only the pressure absorption.

An important disadvantage of SAT-mattress and all other air and waterbeds is the hygiene. The PU hoses obviate the extraction of dust, skin particles and humidity. These residues are conserved on the surface of the PVC air-elements and may cause a source of bacterial contamination. Therefore, in view of bacteria and general regards of hygiene the SAT airbed is to be classified as very critical.

9. The build-up of the Swiss Sleep System mattress assures a good aeration. The viscoelastic foam contains a open and “breathable” foam cell. Furthermore, in combination with aeration channels between visco- and HR layer even further optimise the comfortable and hygienic sleeping behaviour. Thanks to the high elastic middle layer of HR-foam the mattress keeps the elasticity needed to avoid shearing and friction to skin and tissues. The well-thought out mattress construction of the Swiss Sleep Mattress combines therefore the advantages of high elastic foam mattresses with the pressure releasing medical approved viscoelastic behaviour.

10. For the use of viscoelastic mattresses covers with layers of wool or any other organic materials are not recommended. Viscoelastic foam reacts with temperature. Therefore, the fast and direct transportation of the temperature to the foam is the objective. Covers with quilted organic materials act as a barrier between body and viscoelastic foam. Therefore, the very best sensation of viscoelastic foam is achieved by a double jersey cotton cover. SAT promote the very good features of organic wool. This point we can fully confirm. Furthermore, SAT states that the organic topper is washable in any household washing machine. As far as we know the positive aspects of wool, as SAT states antimicrobial and moisture absorbing material, will be considerably reduced or even eliminated with each washing process.

11.The mechanical properties of Swiss sleep viscoelastic foam even allows a washing in a launder! We have no knowledge or idea where the statement of 40% by dust mites and dust comes from. Thanks to the removable fully washable cover the Swiss Sleep System mattresses is perfectly suitable even for allergic persons. The cover of Swiss Sleep System keeps the properties of the material even after a lot of washing devices. This is not that case if organic material, such as wool, is used. To avoid any risk regarding dust mites etc. it is possible that the final consumer treats the foam with an appropriate anti dust mite agent spray. It is recommended to use for that purpose an organic agent, such as Neem oil.

12. A warranty of 20 years may be estimated as window-dressing. Even the mechanical features of the mattress material survive a 20 year period it must be recommended to change a mattress after 8-10 years. This recommendation is based on the hygienic issue. If a company knows something about mattresses and they are serious, they won't be encouraging their customers to use a mattress more than 10 years.

13. Finally we congratulate SAT-bed for the patent! However, a patent does not assure a good mattress.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Searching the web for a flexible mattress for an adjustable bed that will be good for allergy sufferers, I found information on this special product.

Is a mattress called Arosa Microclean, is a Swiss development that is specially designed to alleviate the allergies. It has two double cover, one is a microfiber that avoides dust mites and allergens to penetrate into the core and the other one is a washable external cover. It additionaly has shoulder comfort zone and natural materials to control the bed climate.

Thursday, July 31, 2008

I was reading an article of Alan Hedge, Phd, Professor of Ergonomics, Cornell University, on Mattresses Matter: Ergonomics guidelines. The facts are clear, it is very important for our health where we sleep and we spend one third of our lives in bed. In this article he gives Guidelines for Choosing a Mattress. So what should you look for in a mattress? The Cornell University's Ergonomics group gives some guidelines for choosing your mattress.
Look for a mattress that is:
Designed to conform to the spine's natural curves and to keep the spine in alignment when you lay down. Designed to distribute pressure evenly across the body to help circulation, decrease body movement and enhance sleep quality. Designed to minimize the transfer of movement from one sleeping partner to the other. Designed with perimeter edge support
After reading this I must conclude that the Swiss have developed a very sophisticated system in which a flexible slat base enhanced the properties of the mattress exactly fulfilling this task of evenly distributing pressure across the body circulation. Its flexibility also asures that the spine will be align when you lay down. They solve the problem of movements between partners by using two different mattresses in one bed (what seem brilliant).
I was reading a scientific report on sleep, and it call my attention how important it is to have the adequate mattress in order not only to improve your sleep but to prevent or alleviate lower back pain, muscle pain, neck pain, shoulder pain and others.



It is important that a mattress provides good back support, in this respect I was impressed by the developments in the bed market that the Swiss have introduced. They developed mattresses that are thin (very new technology) but at the same time provide the maximum achievable back support. And how do you know if the mattress is right for you? Very simple, the Swiss (well known for their precision approach) have developed different mattresses for different body weights. It makes a lot of sense that in a couple not necessarily, the husband and the wife (having different body structures and different body weights) will improved their sleep by using one single mattess. Instead, the Swiss have developed special mattresses that have different characteristics and reinforcements in order to provide a good support for each different individual.

Such high technology mattresses not only come in different versions for different body weights with special back support zones, but also provide other benefits such as shoulder comfort zone, natural materials to help regulate the temperature and dehumidify the mattress.