1. A method of detecting apneic events comprising the steps of: sensing pressure in an in vivo respiratory system, negative pressure in said respiratory system being created by an attempt to inspire and nonnegative pressure in said system being indicative of noninspiration; generating a first fluid signal whenever nonnegative pressure occurs in said in vivo respiratory system, said first fluid signal having a duration related to the duration of said nonnegative pressure; applying said first fluid signal to an elastic capacitance device, said elastic device having a pre-determined maximum capacity for storing a volume of fluid substantially equal to a volume of fluid created by the continuous application of said first fluid signal for a predetermined time period; discharging said elastic capacitance whenever negative pressure occurs in said in vivo respiratory system and, activating a signaling means to indicate an apneic event whenever the pressure created in said elastic capacitance device by the continuous application of said first fluid signal for a time greater than the pre-determined time period exceeds the maximum capacity of the elastic capacitance device.