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How To Properly Fit a Mask. From a Techs Point of View.
First get your bed comfortable. Gather all of your creature comforts and make your nest. this reduces unwanted trips out of bed after the you have the mask on. This is important as you could wake your self up.
TURN YOUR MACHINE ON. Your mask should be filled with air when fitting.
Next I prefer to put the mask on sitting upright. Put the mask on just so that it rest on your face. It should be leaking at this time. (if you have a Resmed adjustable mask crank it out so that the forehead is pushed out as far as possible.)
Now I lay down on my back and listen to my mask leak for a second. Doing this trains your mind to hear them. Adjust the bottom straps first. Undue them and pull them straight out from the mask(the mask will want to slide down the straps). this is to even out the straps. If they are not even stop and fix it! Now evenly tighten the mask down just enough to form seal around your mouth(FFM) or the bottom of your nose(nasal).
Next do the sam with the top straps. Remember the top strap is more of an ancher. It should rest on your forehead rather than dig into it.(At this time if you have a Resmed adjustable mask crank it down. it should hug the bridge of your nose and finsh the seal).
Stop listen. you should not be uncomfortable and you should not here any leaks. The mask should be resting on your face at this point not digging or rubbing but resting. If it hurts loosen it.
If you hear leaks you have to options. 1 pull it straigh up off of your face and set it back down. this will sometimes fix it.
2 you can run your finger in between the seal and your skin all the way around the mask to ensure that the seal is folded under to do its job.
once you have these steps down the others are easy. Turn on your right, and left sides and adjust to rid leaks as well. This is important because the seal won't be the same on your sides as it is on your back. Set your self up for success and adjust for all positions.
Remember it only has to be as tight as you can handle comfortably. If you can't form a comfortable seal then you need a different mask.
TURN YOUR MACHINE ON. Your mask should be filled with air when fitting.
Next I prefer to put the mask on sitting upright. Put the mask on just so that it rest on your face. It should be leaking at this time. (if you have a Resmed adjustable mask crank it out so that the forehead is pushed out as far as possible.)
Now I lay down on my back and listen to my mask leak for a second. Doing this trains your mind to hear them. Adjust the bottom straps first. Undue them and pull them straight out from the mask(the mask will want to slide down the straps). this is to even out the straps. If they are not even stop and fix it! Now evenly tighten the mask down just enough to form seal around your mouth(FFM) or the bottom of your nose(nasal).
Next do the sam with the top straps. Remember the top strap is more of an ancher. It should rest on your forehead rather than dig into it.(At this time if you have a Resmed adjustable mask crank it down. it should hug the bridge of your nose and finsh the seal).
Stop listen. you should not be uncomfortable and you should not here any leaks. The mask should be resting on your face at this point not digging or rubbing but resting. If it hurts loosen it.
If you hear leaks you have to options. 1 pull it straigh up off of your face and set it back down. this will sometimes fix it.
2 you can run your finger in between the seal and your skin all the way around the mask to ensure that the seal is folded under to do its job.
once you have these steps down the others are easy. Turn on your right, and left sides and adjust to rid leaks as well. This is important because the seal won't be the same on your sides as it is on your back. Set your self up for success and adjust for all positions.
Remember it only has to be as tight as you can handle comfortably. If you can't form a comfortable seal then you need a different mask.
Views: 10739
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sheila Knowles on
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That is interesting. I was instructed to get my nest ready..and put the mask on..then be ready to lie down right away. I was told to turn on the machine and lie down immediately. I have never had leaks.. NEVER took my mask off during the night and the only time I have felt the air blowing into my eyes.. I have simply adjusted the part above the nose between the eyebrows.
It seems that if THAT Is not adjusted right.. the exhaust air from the mask hits THAT and deflects it back into your eyes. Even while lying down..a simple click and the air is going past that part and away from you and not into your eyes. I have been wearing mine ..( a simple resmed adjustable) for over 3 yrs now. IF I should happen to have a small leak..which I can hear as well as feel...I adjust my head's position on the pillow and it goes away. I have never had big major leaks. It seriously bothers me to be sitting up with my mask on..( full face mask)..makes me feel more claustrophobic. Sometimes even lying down I can feel like ( the suction is so good to my face) there is no air actually blowing inside the mask. I always just rest my hand on my pillow next to my head so I can feel the exhaust blowing and it is like a huge psychological " thang " or something..then I am immediately aware of the air and how well I am breathing both via my mouth and nose.
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My new Resmed mask has no forehead adjustment - since it is at a good angle that;s fine - that;s the part that failed last on my last one. However I now have a drawer of parts i might not be ablet ot use. I have noticed when scratching my nose with the mask running (several times before satisfied) that it does seem to help the seal SO DOES CLEANING the seal - they tell you that and it's actually true. For pressure acne, I have metrogel <G>. I get internal eye leaks on one side from reflux and may have to hook up the humidifier one of these days.
Judy said:
Yes, and another CPAP user told me tightening the bottom straps more than the top straps reduced leaks around the eyes rather than the vice versa we tend to think. And he was right, at least in my situation.
And you are right, too, Rock Hinkle, I've run into that recently and have found pulling the back of my headgear down eliminates those leaks. I'm due for new headgear, actually overdue, so ordered a new mask, headgear and chin strap. Meanwhile, I cut a tad off the center strap to shorten it and we'll see if that solves the problem for now.
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Hi Shelia,
I have the same face mask as you do and a new user. I am having problems with the exhaust air hitting my eyes which it drying it out and creating allergies gunk. How do I fix that problem?
Blessings! Corinne
Sheila Knowles said:
That is interesting. I was instructed to get my nest ready..and put the mask on..then be ready to lie down right away. I was told to turn on the machine and lie down immediately. I have never had leaks.. NEVER took my mask off during the night and the only time I have felt the air blowing into my eyes.. I have simply adjusted the part above the nose between the eyebrows.
It seems that if THAT Is not adjusted right.. the exhaust air from the mask hits THAT and deflects it back into your eyes. Even while lying down..a simple click and the air is going past that part and away from you and not into your eyes. I have been wearing mine ..( a simple resmed adjustable) for over 3 yrs now. IF I should happen to have a small leak..which I can hear as well as feel...I adjust my head's position on the pillow and it goes away. I have never had big major leaks. It seriously bothers me to be sitting up with my mask on..( full face mask)..makes me feel more claustrophobic. Sometimes even lying down I can feel like ( the suction is so good to my face) there is no air actually blowing inside the mask. I always just rest my hand on my pillow next to my head so I can feel the exhaust blowing and it is like a huge psychological " thang " or something..then I am immediately aware of the air and how well I am breathing both via my mouth and nose.
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I have just received my machine and mask. I have it for a week and will go back to see how my mask is working. I find that it keeps slipping around my face and I have to pull it away to get the air flowing again. I tend to wake up quite a few times in the night to adjust it. I did not know about this web site before I was diagnosed, but have learned a few things since I joined the other day. I want to make sure that I get the right mask and equipment. I am feeling now, that when I was issued these items, I was rushed and did not have a chance to really understand whether I was getting the right equipment or mask. Any good ideas would be appreciated.
Corinne said:Hi Shelia,
I have the same face mask as you do and a new user. I am having problems with the exhaust air hitting my eyes which it drying it out and creating allergies gunk. How do I fix that problem?
Blessings! Corinne
Sheila Knowles said:
That is interesting. I was instructed to get my nest ready..and put the mask on..then be ready to lie down right away. I was told to turn on the machine and lie down immediately. I have never had leaks.. NEVER took my mask off during the night and the only time I have felt the air blowing into my eyes.. I have simply adjusted the part above the nose between the eyebrows.
It seems that if THAT Is not adjusted right.. the exhaust air from the mask hits THAT and deflects it back into your eyes. Even while lying down..a simple click and the air is going past that part and away from you and not into your eyes. I have been wearing mine ..( a simple resmed adjustable) for over 3 yrs now. IF I should happen to have a small leak..which I can hear as well as feel...I adjust my head's position on the pillow and it goes away. I have never had big major leaks. It seriously bothers me to be sitting up with my mask on..( full face mask)..makes me feel more claustrophobic. Sometimes even lying down I can feel like ( the suction is so good to my face) there is no air actually blowing inside the mask. I always just rest my hand on my pillow next to my head so I can feel the exhaust blowing and it is like a huge psychological " thang " or something..then I am immediately aware of the air and how well I am breathing both via my mouth and nose.
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I will try this. I have had my mask & machine for about 6 months. I end up with an imprint on my face from the mask and a mark on my forehead. It seemed that if I didn't have it tight enough it was leaking around my eyes. I already have dry eyes and the air was making them worse. I hate having the marks on my face everyday. I may also need to get a different mask.
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Rock, thanks so much. It worked. I think I had a small leakage during the night, but very little mask marks. Yeah! Wish I would have come to this site 4 months ago!!
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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on
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Thank You! I am glad that it worked for you.
Louise Olson said:Rock, thanks so much. It worked. I think I had a small leakage during the night, but very little mask marks. Yeah! Wish I would have come to this site 4 months ago!!
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Permalink Reply by Ginny Edmundson on
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Followed your well written instructions last night to a "T" and I think had less or maybe no leaks. Will try again tonight. Thanks!
RockRpsgt said:
Thank You! I am glad that it worked for you.
Louise Olson said:Rock, thanks so much. It worked. I think I had a small leakage during the night, but very little mask marks. Yeah! Wish I would have come to this site 4 months ago!!
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Great to hear! I couldn't figure out why my nose was tender this morning, the forehead cushion was still laying on my dresser!!
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Ouch!
Louise said:
Great to hear! I couldn't figure out why my nose was tender this morning, the forehead cushion was still laying on my dresser!!
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Rock~With the Quattro FX would you still start with the bottom strap first? I did well for a couple of weeks now no matter what I have leaks all over. AHI went up...used my swift LT for her for 2 nights (mouth taped) AHI quickly down but hate mouth taped.
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