Mask Compatability

[silvercarper]

How compatible are full face masks with different makes of APAPS and humidifiers
With one make of mask my 7 day pressures are in the 9,s but with my other mask they are in the 13,s.

[Tigers Fan]

I can't see why ....

Hi silvercarper

I can't see that the mask makes any difference to the machine so that masks are compatible with machines - witness people are sticking Sleep Weavers onto all sorts of machines very successfully and machines designed before SleepWeavers were invented, come to that!

However, not all masks are compatible with all faces! I suspect the difference in AHI with your masks is that one hugs you better than the other.

I thought my Quattro was just about perfect for me but then the Quattro FX came along and my sleep went deeper, longer, dreamier from the first night.

TF

[silvercarper]

I said pressure not AHI.
Also Sleep weaver masks are nasal ones and dont have valves like full face ones .

[Fredxx]

I think the point was still basically right. I am guessing you are using an Auto machine (hence the different pressures!) If a mask fits less well and you have a higher AHI, the machine will increase the pressure to compensate, hence the higher pressure.

By valves I presume you mean vents. The sleepweaver still vents like a conventional mask, it just does it in a more diffuse way though a pattern of holes in the fabric.

If you look at the venting characteristics for a whole series of masks, you would see they are remarkably similar to each other. Essentially, the masks are designed to give similar pressure / leak performance to each other, which means you can swap around which masks you are using within reason.

[Tigers Fan]

My mistake, silvercarper - apologies - but the principle still applies.

As a matter of interest, how does your AHI vary with the different masks. Mine doesn't and neither does my pressure.

TF

[silvercarper]

I never said that my AHI varies but my pressures does depending which mask I use. I have only just discovered how to get my AHI reading

When I say valves I am refering to the flap valve or valves which open in the event of a power failure. They are normally in the elbow like on the FX (page iv item 12 in the user guide TF) and on the ZZZ. They are only required on a Full Face mask.

My AHI is 1.5 using the FX and the pressure is 10.5 Cm

[Tigers Fan]

How much oil is there in your sump?

Hi silvercarper

One last attempt:-

With the same machine blowing air at the same person, his pressure varies when he changes masks. This means that his AHI varies - the machine detects more or fewer events and varies the pressure.

Then he says, in a different thread, "What concerns me is that how much better I feel after using it [another mask] for a few days. This is making me question what has been wrong with the mask I have been using for the last 3 months." Could it be that his AHI has varied - dropped - so he is sleeping better thus feeling better, since he changed masks?

Oh no! because he didn't say his AHI varied (though he didn't know how to know what it is until now).

What could the answer be then?? Hmmmmm! A real poser!

TF

[silvercarper]

I have been using a APAP for the last 2 years mostly using the ZZZ mask until I sat on the mask and broke it 4 months ago.
As I could no longer obtain a ZZZ mask I bought a F & P Forma mask.
I noticed that with this mask my pressures were much hgher than with the ZZZ and in hindsite my "bounce had gone"
Since purchasing a FX mask my pressures have dropped and my "bounce has returned.
Why ??
Perhaps because im now using "Aquapura" water in my humidifier. Calcium 14 and a Ph of 6.1

[Tigers Fan]

And what is the Fairy Dust content of Aquapura, silvercarper?

TF

[silvercarper]

Price

As for the mask problem I have ordered a new valve assembly to see if it makes a difference.

[silvercarper]

The new valve leaks just as much as the old one so im getting no where .
As I have now got a Wizard Fit /ZZZ mask which I know works Im not going to waste my time sorting out the Forma.

[symmit]

The new valve leaks just as much as the old one so im getting no where .
As I have now got a Wizard Fit /ZZZ mask which I know works Im not going to waste my time sorting out the Forma.

Ahhh yes the valve leak...

"they all do that sir"...

[silvercarper]

[QUOTE=Tigers Fan;15124]My mistake, silvercarper - apologies - but the principle still applies.

As a matter of interest, how does your AHI vary with the different masks. Mine doesn't and neither does my pressure.

TF[/QUOTe

Using the Forma the pressure was approx 3cm more and the maximum AHI was approx 10 !!!!!.