HillRom vest-do you have to unplug after each use?
as far as the using electricity even when it's turned off goes, yes it will still use VERY LITTLE electricity just because it still has your hours and whatever on it. When a circut isn't complete, like when the vest or coffee maker, etc. is turned off the circut isn't complete therefore it isn't a problem at all, its not using electricity, yes the electrons are there so don't go poking your finger in there that will complete the circut and shock the crap out of you.
The hill-rom vest uses a power supply nearly identical to your computer, its no different than leaving your computer plugged in when its turned off (btw its a bad idea to unplug your computer every time you turn it off, eventually you'll fry it)
A surge protector is a good idea, a UPS (uniteruptable power supply, not united parcal service) is an even better idea especially when your power has a tendancy to go off for extended periods of time. Depending on what size UPS you get will determine how many vest treatments you can do before the power comes back on, its also a really good idea to have your computer plugged into one for different reasons. These aren't very expensive and you can run a vest and nebulizer off one till you get power back and they include a surge protector in most. go to best buy, frys, circut city, or another computer type store and they'll help you pick one out. I have one for my computer and vest because our power sucks and goes out at the slightest hint of a storm, sometimes for only a little while, sometimes a day or more, i have a pretty big UPS and can do about 3 vest treatments off of it