operation is re initiated in addition start up checks such as sleeve detection features may be skipped following a suspend mode to return the compression device 11 to operation with the previous settings utilized at the moment before the suspend mode was activated this use of previous settings may provide a faster reinitiating of the compression device 11 which would save operator time at step 45 the timer is incremented and then the time is compared at step 47 with the time period set previously the algorithm loops until the time is greater than or equal to the set time period the pause algorithm 27 then proceeds to activate notification at step 49 notification can take on any suitable form such as those described previously herein operation of the compression device 11 does not begin automatically but requires the intercession of the user or clinician to restart the device 11 retains all previously entered operation settings and information so that it can immediately begin to operate with the simple push of button 32 or the like a sleep mode version of the pause algorithm 27 is shown in fig4 initiation of the sleep mode at 51 can be accomplished in any suitable manner such as by toggling the switch 31 as in the suspend mode version of the pause algorithm 27 a time period may be set at step 53 automatically or by action of.