Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.39

     THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR
     THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED IN
     THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION THEREFROM UNDER SAID
     ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

$____________                                                Temecula,California
                                                               ___________, 2003

                    UNSECURED SENIOR PROMISSORY NOTE DUE 2008

     Hudson Respiratory Care Inc., a California corporation (the "Maker"), for
value received, promises to pay to_________________________ (the "Holder") the
principal sum of ______________________ ($__________) on March 31, 2008 (the
"Maturity Date") as provided herein. The Maker also promises to pay interest
from the date of this Note until payment in full on the unpaid principal balance
as set forth in Section 1 below.

     1.   Interest. The interest rate payable hereunder shall be 12% per annum,
computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a year of 365
days. All interest hereunder shall begin to accrue on May 14, 2002 and shall not
be paid currently but shall accrue, such accruing amount to be compounded
quarterly as of the end of each calendar quarter commencing December 31, 2002,
and be payable in full on the Maturity Date in cash.

     2.   Prepayments. The principal balance of, and accrued interest on, this
Note may be prepaid at any time, in whole or in part, without premium or
penalty. Any such prepayment shall be first applied to the payment of any
accrued interest and then to the unpaid balance of the principal amount.

     3.   Events of Default. If any of the following events (each, an "Event of
Default") shall occur:

          (a)  the Maker shall fail to make any payment hereunder when due and
payable; or

          (b)  the Maker shall fail to make any payment under any indebtedness
of the Maker that is outstanding in an aggregate principal amount of at least
$15,000,000 due and payable either (i) at the final stated maturity of such
indebtedness or (ii) at any other time if, as a result of such nonpayment, the
maturity of such indebtedness is accelerated; or

          (c)  the Maker shall generally fail to pay, or admit in writing its
inability to pay, its debts as they become due, or shall voluntarily commence
any proceeding or file any petition under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar
federal, state or foreign law or seeking dissolution, liquidation or
reorganization or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or
liquidator for it or a substantial portion of its property, assets or business
or to effect a plan or

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other arrangement with its creditors, or shall file any answer admitting the
jurisdiction of the court and the material allegations of an involuntary
petition filed against it in any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceeding,
or shall be adjudicated bankrupt, or shall make a general assignment for the
benefit of creditors, or shall consent to, or acquiesce in the appointment of, a
receiver, trustee, custodian or liquidator for a substantial portion of its
property, assets or business, or shall by any act or failure to act indicate its
consent to or approval of any of the foregoing, or if any corporate action is
taken by the Maker for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; or

          (d)  involuntary proceedings or an involuntary petition shall be
commenced or filed against the Maker under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar
federal, state or foreign law or seeking the dissolution, liquidation or
reorganization of it or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or
liquidator for it or of a substantial part of its property, assets or business,
and such proceedings or petition shall not be dismissed within 60 days; or any
writ, judgment, tax lien, warrant of attachment, execution or similar process
shall be issued or levied against a substantial part of its property, assets or
business, and such writ, judgment, lien, warrant of attachment, execution or
similar process shall not be released, vacated or fully bonded, within 60 days
after commencement, filing or levy, as the case may be, or any order for relief
shall be entered in any such proceeding; or any winding-up, dissolution,
liquidation or reorganization of the Maker; then, and in every such event, and
at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, (i) in the case of
an Event of Default under clauses (a) and (b), the Holders of a majority of the
outstanding principal amount of all Notes may declare all principal and accrued
interest and all other fees and other obligations of the Maker under the Notes
to be due and payable, and (ii) in the case of an Event of Default under clauses
(c) or (d), all principal and accrued interest on all outstanding Notes and all
fees and other obligations of the Maker due under the Notes will be immediately
due and payable without any further declaration or other act on the part of the
Holders, in either case without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of
any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Maker.

     4.   Series of Notes; Actions by Majority. This Note is one of a series of
Notes of like tenor issued in an original aggregate principal amount of up to
$12,000,000. When actions are specified herein as happening upon the decision of
holders of a majority in outstanding principal amount of the Notes, such action
shall be evidenced by a writing executed by such Holders and delivered to all
Holders of Notes and shall be the act of and binding on all Holders.

     5.   Costs and Expenses. The Maker promises to pay all costs and expenses,
including reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred by the Holder in connection with
the enforcement of, or collection of any amounts due under, this Note.

     6.   Successors and Assigns. This Note shall be binding upon, and shall
inure to the benefit of, the Maker and the Holder and their respective
successors and assigns; provided, however, that neither this Note nor any of the
rights, interests or obligations hereunder may be assigned, by operation of law
or otherwise, in whole or in part, by the Maker without the prior written
consent of the Holder except in connection with an assignment in whole to a
successor Maker to the Maker in a merger of the Maker or a sale of all or
substantially all of the Maker's property and assets and then only if the
Holder's rights hereunder are not impaired.

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     7.   Modifications and Amendments; Reissuance of Note. This Note may only
be modified, amended, or terminated (other than by payment in full) by an
agreement in writing signed by the Maker and the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of all Notes. No waiver of any term, covenant or provision of
this Note shall be effective unless given in writing by the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of all Notes. Upon receipt of evidence reasonably
satisfactory to the Maker of the loss, theft, destruction, or mutilation of this
Note and of an agreement of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Maker, and
upon surrender or cancellation of this Note, if mutilated, the Maker will make
and deliver a new Note of like tenor in lieu of such lost, stolen, destroyed, or
mutilated Note.

     8.   Remedies Cumulative. Each and every right, power and remedy herein
given to the Holder, or otherwise existing, shall be cumulative and not
exclusive and be in addition to all other rights, powers and remedies now or
hereafter granted (including, without limitation, other rights of set-off under
applicable law) or otherwise existing. Each and every right, power and remedy
whether specifically herein given or otherwise existing may be exercised from
time to time and as often and in such order as may be deemed expedient by the
Holder.

     9.   Notices. All notices and other communications required or permitted
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed by registered or certified
mail, postage prepaid, or otherwise delivered by facsimile, hand or by messenger
(which may be by overnight delivery service), addressed (a) if to the Maker, at
the address and facsimile number set forth on the signature page to this Note or
at such other address and facsimile number as the Maker shall have furnished to
the Holder by first class mail, or (b) if to the Holder, at the address
specified at the foot of this Note, or at such other address and facsimile
number as the Holder shall have furnished to the Maker by first class mail.

     10.  Waiver. The Holder shall not by any act (except by a written
instrument in accordance with the immediately preceding paragraph), delay,
indulgence, omission or otherwise be deemed to have waived any right or remedy
hereunder or to have acquiesced in any default or Event of Default or in any
breach of any of the terms and conditions hereof. No failure to exercise, nor
any delay in exercising, on the part of the Holder, any right, power or
privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof. No single or partial
exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder shall preclude any other or
further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.
A waiver by the Holder of any right or remedy hereunder on any one occasion
shall not be construed as a bar to any right or remedy which the Holder would
otherwise have on any future occasion. The rights and remedies herein provided
are cumulative, may be exercised singly or concurrently and are not exclusive of
any rights or remedies provided by law.

     11.  Governing Law. This Note shall be construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of California, without regard to the conflicts of law
provisions of the State of California or of any other state.

     12.  Jurisdiction. ALL LEGAL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST THE
MAKER WITH RESPECT TO THIS NOTE MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF
COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AND BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY
OF THIS NOTE THE MAKER

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ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES, THE JURISDICTION OF
THE AFORESAID COURTS. THE MAKER HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY
CLAIM OR DEFENSE IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BASED ON ANY ALLEGED LACK OF
PERSONAL JURISDICTION, IMPROPER VENUE OR FORUM NON CONVENIENS OR ANY SIMILAR
BASIS. THE MAKER FURTHER IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF ANY COMPLAINT,
SUMMONS, NOTICE OR OTHER PROCESS RELATING TO ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY
DELIVERY THEREOF TO IT BY HAND OR BY MAIL TO THE ADDRESS OF THE MAKER SET FORTH
ABOVE. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF A HOLDER TO BRING PROCEEDINGS
AGAINST THE MAKER IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION OR TO SERVE PROCESS IN
ANY MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW.

     13.  Interest. The rate of interest payable under this Note shall in no
event exceed the maximum rate permissible under applicable law. If the rate of
interest payable on this Note is ever reduced as a result of this paragraph and
at any time thereafter the maximum rate permitted under applicable law exceeds
the rate of interest provided for in this Note, then the rate provided for in
this Note shall be increased to the maximum rate provided for under applicable
law for such period as is required so that the total amount of interest received
by the Holder is that which would have been received by the Holder but for the
operation of the first sentence of this paragraph.

     14.  Designation of Senior Debt. The obligations contemplated by this Note
(and the Notes in the aggregate) shall constitute "Designated Senior Debt" as
defined in and for purposes of that certain Indenture dated as of April 7, 1998
among the Maker, River Holding Corp. and the Untied States Trust Company of New
York, as Trustee, with respect to the 9 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008.

     15.  Payments. All payments of principal and interest shall be made in
legal tender of the United States of America and shall be made at such place as
Holder shall have designated to Maker.

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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Maker has caused this Note to be signed on the date
first set forth above.

MAKER:                                  HUDSON RESPIRATORY CARE INC.

                                        By:
                                             -----------------------------------
                                        Name:   Patrick Yount
                                        Title:  Chief Financial Officer

                                        Notice Address:
                                        27111 Diaz Road
                                        P.O. Box 9020
                                        Temecula, California  92589-9020
                                        Facsimile:  (909) 676-1578

NOTICE ADDRESS
FOR HOLDER:

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-----------------------

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                                SIGNATURE PAGE TO
                    UNSECURED SENIOR PROMISSORY NOTE DUE 2008

                                       5<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.40

                            AGREEMENT TO AMEND NOTES

     This Agreement to Amend Notes (the "Agreement") is entered into as of
September __, 2003 by and among Hudson Respiratory Care Inc., a California
corporation (the "Company"), and a majority of the holders of the outstanding
principal amount of those certain Unsecured Senior Promissory Notes due 2004
that are signatories hereto (the "Holders"). All capitalized terms used in this
Agreement not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meanings given to
such terms in the Notes.

                                 R E C I T A L S
                                 - - - - - - - -

     WHEREAS, the Company has previously issued a series of Unsecured Senior
Promissory Notes due 2004 in an aggregate principal amount of $12,000,000 to the
holders set forth on Schedule A hereto (the "Notes");

     WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 7 of the Notes, the Holders of a majority of
the outstanding principal amount of the Notes may amend all of the outstanding
Notes in the series by an agreement in writing with the Company;

     WHEREAS, the Company wishes to obtain credit facility subject to the terms
and provisions of a Loan and Security Agreement by and among Parent, Wells Fargo
Foothill, Inc., as the Arranger and Administrative Agent and the Lenders that
are signatory thereto and a Loan and Security Agreement by and among Parent, MW
Post Advisory Group, LLC, as the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that are
signatory thereto (collectively, the "Loan and Security Agreements");

     WHEREAS, it is a condition to the making of loans under the Loan and
Security Agreements to Parent that the Company amend the Notes to extend the
maturity date of the Notes to March 31, 2008; and

     WHEREAS, a majority of the Holders of the outstanding principal amount of
the Notes have agreed to amend the Notes.

                                A G R E E M E N T
                                - - - - - - - - -

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual
covenants and agreements of the parties contained herein, the parties hereby
agree as follows:

     1.   Amendments to the Notes. The opening paragraph of the Notes is hereby
amended to extend the Maturity Date of the Notes to March 31, 2008.

     2.   Scope. This Agreement shall have the effect of amending the Notes as
appropriate to express the agreements contained herein. In all other respects,
the Notes shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their
respective terms.

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     3.   Governing Law. In all respects, including all matters of construction,
validity and performance, this Agreement and the rights and obligations arising
hereunder shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with,
the internal laws of the State of California applicable to contracts made and
performed in such state (without regard to the choice of law or conflicts of law
principles there).

     4.   Counterparts; Facsimile. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts and by facsimile, each of which shall be deemed an original, but
all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed as of the date
first written above.

THE COMPANY:                            HUDSON RESPIRATORY CARE INC.,
                                        a California corporation

                                        By:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                             Name:
                                             Title:

HOLDERS:                                FS EQUITY PARTNERS IV, L.P.,
                                        a Delaware limited partnership
$10,860,000 principal
amount of the Notes                     By:  FS Capital Partners LLC
                                        Its: General Partner

                                             By:
                                                --------------------------------
                                                  Name:
                                                  Title:

$1,086,000 principal                    THE HELEN LOVAAS SEPARATE
amount of the Notes                     PROPERTY TRUST U/D/T DATED
                                        JULY 17, 1998

                                        By:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                             Helen Hudson Lovaas
                                             Trustee

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                                   SCHEDULE A

                                           PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
                                           ----------------
HOLDER                                          OF NOTE
------                                     ----------------
FS Equity Partners IV, L.P.                $     10,860,000
The Helen Lovaas Separate Property Trust   $      1,086,000
U/D/T dated July 17, 1997
Sten Gibeck                                $         54,000
                                           ----------------
    Aggregate Principal Amount:            $     12,000,000

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