How would you describe "self-inflating"?
192845
For this product it meant that I blew it up by mouth and it was easy and fast to blow up. I am not sure why they call it self-inflating, since I had to do the work.
192846
If you unroll and, are you are patient, it will inflate. The directions specifically state that you should not blow into it, as the moisture form your break can cause damage.
192847
This whole category of "self-inflating" pads is based on a type of foam interior which is compressed when the pad is rolled up, but expands to it's natural shape and size once you open the air valve. This expansion can take several minutes... you just unroll the pad, open the valve and leave it alone. A new pad or one that has been rolled up a long time may need multiple times to get to full size... open the valve, close after a few minutes, lay on the pad for a few minutes, then open the valve again.
192848
Does inflate itself without you having to blow it up with your mouth? I see both comments below?
192849
The product inflates without having to manually blow it up. You just unroll the mat and it inflates automatically.
192850
When you see "self-inflating" do not think it is to max capacity. Think more of a really nice head start on blowing it up.
62968
I think it'd be a pain to deflate and inflate every day but inflating it was no trouble really even though it did take a little time to get it to the size I wanted. I have yet to deflate it so I don't know how long that would take.
669503
You need to pump it up in stages so you wiuld need to wait that long just to inflate it. Once inflated you can use immediately.
1422508
It has a valve that you blow into to blow it up. It does inflate quite easily.
965210
It is not inflated and comes with a pump to put air in it yourself. It is very easy to do.
2283848
No it does not self inflate. I now have 2 and find them very good for relieving back pain. It just takes 2 or 3 puffs of air to inflate for a comfortable fit. I like these because they hold the air for weeks and sometimes much longer. I hope this helps.
1589818
I used an air pump. Never saw where it said otherwise. Took a matter if seconds to inflate.
46823
Unless you have a pump with a gauge, you just have to feel for "Firmness" when inflating. If I am not mistaken, the valves are 1-way, only allowing air to go in, then there is a dump valve to deflate.
1743619
I use mine for this, and it is great to be able to increase the firmness by just opening the valve. For me the valve is able to hold whatever pressure I set, and the self inflating feature is excellent. Mine is 2.5 years old, and I am very happy with it.
48949
That's not been my experience ..... I let mine self inflate for about 20 min or so then gave it a few lung fulls of air to finish the process (probably not something you'd want to do in freezing weather). While it is true that the longer you wait the more air will naturally migrate into the mattress, but you do reach a point where you get increasingly diminishing returns. Normally 10 to 20 min is plenty followed by some forced air input either by lung power or small pump to finish the inflation to your tastes of firmness.
1407987
When you unroll it, it inflates. You have to do this a couple of times before it fully inflates.
1600691
Hm. I had a bike place inflate it last summer and it stayed pretty inflated all winter. I just squeezed the hole where the air goes in and blew into it and it filled up again.
2239237
The Pad self inflates and deflates on its own easily. It would be totally up to the individual if they wanted to use a pump, however, it is not necessary. We trust that is helpful.
222800
its a 3 step processes. 1. open value by turning2. blow to inflate3. quickly screw value close before air is lost
203419
It's actually pretty easy to inflate, you do not need a pump to inflate it. We used it for a week straight and deflated it every day and then inflated again the next day. It only took a few minutes to inflate manually.
1708777
I purchased an inexpensive pump that you plug in. Otherwise.....you will probably pass out trying to blow it up yourself!
911032
Only partly. But just a few puffs of air inflates it quickly. It works best to inflate then deflate to the most comfortable level.