An apparatus (10) is proposed for the sustenance of a patient, comprising:- at least one compressor (12)- at least one inflatable mattress (28, 30) comprising a first series (32, 36) of cells and a second series (34, 38) of cells- at least one valve (16, 18) having a discharge connection for the discharge in the outer ambient, and connected through a first conduit (42, 50) with the first series of cells (32, 36), through a second conduit (46, 54) with the second series of cells (34, 38), and through a feed conduit (14) with the compressor (12)- at least one small mattress-sensor (24 80), put under said at least one mattress (28), comprising at least one conduit-sensor (56 82) and detecting means (20 90) to detect the air pressure in said at least one conduit (64 82)- management and control means (66), connected with the detecting means (20 90), with the at least one valve (16, 18) and with the at least one compressor (12).
