Pressure ulcers can be very painful and distressing for patients and present a significant management problem for healthcare professionals. Over the past few years, a wide variety of mattresses have become available for at-risk patients that aim to provide a pressure-redistributing support surface. One of these products, the Carital Optima mattress, has been designed for a wide range of dependent patients who are being nursed with or without existing pressure area damage. This article details a pressure mapping exercise and looks at three patient case studies to assess the efficacy of the Carital Optima mattress.