Exhibit 32.1

                    CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

         In connection with the Quarterly Report of Hudson Respiratory Care Inc.
(the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 as filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Periodic
Report"), I, Charles A. French, President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, certify, to my knowledge, that:

         1.       The Periodic Report fully complies with the requirements of
                  Section 13(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934; and

         2.       The information contained in the Periodic Report fairly
                  presents, in all material respects, the financial condition
                  and results of operations of the Company.


                                          /s/ Charles French
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Charles A. French
                                          Chief Executive Officer and President
                                          November 14, 2003