Breg Polar Care Wave Troubleshooting & FAQs

Breg Wave Troubleshooting FAQs

Hello, and welcome to our series on the Breg Polar Care Wave cold + compression unit.

Today, we’ll be discussing some of the frequently asked questions for the Breg Polar Care Wave. The Polar Care Wave System is intended to treat post-surgical and acute injuries to reduce edema, swelling, and pain where cold and compression are indicated. It is intended to be used by or on the order of licensed healthcare professionals in hospitals, outpatient clinics, athletic training settings, or home settings. As always, please consult your physician for any questions on your specific medical needs.

How To Set Up The Breg Wave

Set up and operate unit on a flat surface so the unit does not tip over.
Unlock handle by rotating handle to the front of the unit.
Remove lid and fill container with water to indicated water fill line.

Fill to lines on label inside container.
Use cubed ice for optimal performance.
Only use ice and water or four (4) ice bags and water with this unit.

CAUTION: Do not overfill the unit with ice and water. Appropriate levels are indicated by the ice/water label in the container. Overfilling the unit can cause water to spill out or prevent the lid from closing properly.

First, add water, second, add ice.
Place lid on container using align stickers.

Lock by rotating the handle to the upright or back position according to image on handle.

Every 6-8 hours or as needed, pour out enough water to return water level to original water fill line and re-fill ice to ice line.

How To Using Ice Bags With the Breg Wave:

Setup with Ice Bag Accessories and Water

Remove four (4) empty Ice Bags from the packaging.
Fill the four (4) Ice Bags with water to fill line. Do not over fill.
Freeze Ice Bags in freezer.
Set up and operate unit on a flat surface so the unit does not tip over.
Unlock handle by rotating handle to the front of the unit.
Remove lid and add water to fill line in container.

Place all four (4) Ice Bags into the corners of the container as shown.
Only use ice and water or four (4) Ice Bags and water with this unit.
Replace lid and lock by rotating the handle to the upright or back position.
Replace four (4) melted Ice Bags with four (4) frozen Ice Bags every 4-5 hours or as needed.
While using the Ice Bags, cubed ice may also be added to the container up to the ice fill line to optimize the colder setting.

Cold-Compression Pad Application:

Make sure Breg logo and pad instructions are facing out, away from the injury site

Standard / Large Knee Pad
Hip Pad
Shoulder Pad
Back Pad
Foot/Ankle Pad
Universal Pad

Connecting and Disconnecting Cold-Compression Pad to Unit:

Line up the Breg logos on the tubing and pad connectors.
Squeeze down gently on the blue clips.
Push connectors together until they make a “click” sound.
Disconnect the cold-compression pad from the unit by pressing the blue clips and gently pulling the connectors apart.

The Breg Polar Care cold-compression pad may be disconnected from the unit while it's running and connectors will seal, preventing water from flowing out of tubing. Note: Some dripping during release is normal.

How To Operate The Unit:

Operating the Unit:

Press the on/off button to turn the unit on. It will illuminate.
Upon initial start-up, the unit will default to colder and regular settings for cold and compression therapy, respectively.
If the unit was previously in use, it will default to the last settings selected when the unit was turned off.
Press the cold button to cycle between colder, cold, and off.
Press the compression button to cycle between regular, low, and off.
Press the on/off button to turn the unit off. All lights will turn off.
Cold and compression therapies may be used at the same time or independently.
If the on/off button continuously flashes, refer to the troubleshooting guide
If the on/off button is on and both therapies are off for more than 15 minutes, the unit will automatically shut off.
Some condensation on the tube and cold-compression pad is possible, especially in warmer climates.

How To Clean The Unit For Storage or Re-Use

Exterior Surfaces (container, lid, tubing, cold-compression pad, and y-adapter)

Cleaning agents for home setting:

Use Mild soap & Water

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and precautions for the cleaning agent you select.
Use the selected cleaner and a soft cloth to wipe the surfaces of the container, lid, tubing, connectors, and cold-compression pad.
Wipe dry

Internal Components (pump system, internal tubing, inside of cold-compression pad and y-adapter)

Cleaning agents:

Bleach & Water

Procedure:

Connect cold-compression pad to unit.
Fill the unit with cold tap water to the ice line and add 1/2 teaspoon of bleach.
Do not add ice.
Run the cold therapy for at least 10 minutes.
Roll the cold-compression pad while still connected and squeeze the water back into the container.
Disconnect the cold-compression pad, pour the water out of the unit, and wipe dry

Storing the Unit:

Remove water from the cold-compression pad by rolling the pad up while still connected and squeezing the water back into the unit.
Disconnect the cold-compression pad.
Pour out water from unit and wipe dry.
Coil tubing as shown and secure using straps.
Do not store with water.

Manufacturer’s Warranty

Breg, Inc. warrants that this product is free from defects in workmanship and materials, and fit for use for 180 days from initial purchase under normal use for which it was intended.
Breg, Inc.’s obligation under this warranty is limited to the replacement or repair of any defective part or parts of this product.
All expressed or implied warranties, including the warranty of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, are limited to the actual warranty period set forth above.
No other warranty, expressed or implied, is given and no affirmation of or by seller, by words or action, will constitute a warranty.

Troubleshooting Guide:

When you are experiencing problems with the Breg Wave, here are some possible solutions to try.

On/off button flashing notification

Restart the Unit
Turn unit off by either pressing the on/off button or by disconnecting and reconnecting power supply from the unit or from the wall.
Press on/off button to turn unit back on.
Press cold or compression therapy buttons (if required) to start desired therapies.
If compression therapy does not function after pressing compression button (cold-compression pad doesn’t appear to be inflating or compression therapy setting light is not on), see Compression Therapy troubleshooting sections on page 19.
If cold therapy does not function after pressing cold button, see Cold Therapy troubleshooting section on page 19.

On/off button isn’t responding

Confirm power outlet is working and power supply is fully inserted in the outlet.
Confirm that the power supply plug is fully inserted into the unit lid.
Confirm the correct Polar Care Wave power supply is connected (see page 20).

Excessive condensation

Wrap material loosely over cold-compression pad and tubing to minimize air exposure.
Protect the wound site by using a sterile dressing with waterproof barrier. Acceptable barriers include Webril™, Kerlix™, cast padding and elastic bandage. Note: Some condensation on the tube and cold-compression pad is possible, especially in warmer climates. Place a cloth layer under the container to protect items under the unit.

Unit is leaking from blue connectors

Disconnect the blue tabs on the cold-compression pad connector.
Check that the Breg logos on the blue connectors are lined up correctly and reconnect.

Water not flowing to cold-compression pad or pad not cold

Confirm on/off button is illuminated and a cold therapy "colder" or "cold" setting light is on to indicate that cold therapy is functioning.
Check that blue connectors between the cold-compression pad and tubing are fully engaged with Breg logos lined up. Disconnect blue connectors and reconnect if needed.
Allow 10 minutes for the cold-compression pad temperature to stabilize.
Confirm unit has both ice and water to appropriate levels.
While using the Breg Ice Bags, cubed ice may also be added to the container up to the ice fill line to optimize the colder setting.
Elevating the unit to the same or higher elevation than the cold-compression pad may increase water flow to the cold-compression pad.
Check that tubing and cold-compression pad are not kinked.
Remove the cold-compression pad and lay it flat. Allow the cold-compression pad to fill with water and then reapply.

Cold-compression pad not compressing or filling with air

Note: During compression therapy operation, it is normal for the compression to inflate and deflate continuously.
The duration of each inflation-deflation cycle is approximately 1 to 2 minutes.
Confirm on/off button is illuminated and a compression therapy "regular" or "low" setting light is on to indicate that compression therapy is functioning.
Check that blue connectors between cold-compression pad and tubing are fully engaged with Breg logos lined up. Disconnect blue connectors and reconnect if needed.
Tighten cold-compression pad.
Check that tubing and cold-compression pad are not kinked.
Remove cold-compression pad and lay it flat. Check if the cold-compression pad is inflating with air and then reapply.

Cold-compression pad not deflating properly

Check that the blue connector between the cold-compression pad and tubing is fully engaged with Breg logos lined up.
Disconnect blue connectors, deflate the pad by rolling to remove air, and reconnect blue connectors if needed.