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 March 31, 2004 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 French

Chief Executive Officer and President

May 7, 2004