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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: 10786
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Loretta Lynne Grede on
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My problem is that when I adjust the headgear,the straps are touching in back -- I have no more adjustment - it is a medium mask and was ordered by the sleep tech.
I have had sleep apnea and a C-Pap for over 12 years,and now require additional oxygen since my heart rate drops to 23 during sleep.Thanks for the advice regarding fit of mask ..it was a help to me.I recently bought a C-pap pillow and it has made my nights more comfortable.
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Loretta, what mask are you using? I have successfully put a fold or pleat in too long a headgear strap and held the fold in place w/a strip of velcro until I got the fit just right over the period of several nights and then when I had the length and fit right I cut the fold out and put the two cut ends back together w/velcro. This velcro fix has held long past the 6 months allowed before replacement of the headgear. Sometimes you just have to get a little innovative.
I also have 2L of 02 supplementing my xPAP. Actually I'm on a bi-level PAP. A Resmed VPAP Auto. I have COPD.
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That sounds like a real good idea, thanks for sharing !! Personally I have always had air leaks and not even known it. Just recently my new RT and very smart guy, has given me 3 different masks to mess with. He said I am between a small & medium and that is the problem. What I first did was my husband took a marker, and sitting up before bedtime we put the mask on comfortably, he marked the velcro where it was at that time so I would know to put it there when uncomfortable. Well, just recently we realized I open my mouth while sleeping, so it was pulling the mask down and squeezing in on my nose. I tell you when I mean irritation, I would have such problems across the bridge of my nose that it would stay all day. My neurologist suggested some type of gel, which I am supposed to get from him and it will seal the suction. I will let you all know how this works out !! I guess its just trial and error until we find the right fit for each of ourselves.
Judy said:Loretta, what mask are you using? I have successfully put a fold or pleat in too long a headgear strap and held the fold in place w/a strip of velcro until I got the fit just right over the period of several nights and then when I had the length and fit right I cut the fold out and put the two cut ends back together w/velcro. This velcro fix has held long past the 6 months allowed before replacement of the headgear. Sometimes you just have to get a little innovative.
I also have 2L of 02 supplementing my xPAP. Actually I'm on a bi-level PAP. A Resmed VPAP Auto. I have COPD.
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Our facial tissue is subject to the force of gravity just like everything else. A proper mask fitting is done LAYING DOWN. The hose tends to "tug" at our mask as we move about while sleeping. Hanging your hose above your head can reduce that tugging down that tends to irritate the bridge of the nose. Or clipping the hose to your PJ front so that your PJs absorb the brunt of the hose tugging also helps. A chin strap works for some to eliminate their mouth opening during sleep. A Mack's Silicone Ear Plug rolled in your palms to form a tape or rope laid on the mask cushion where it fits to the bridge of the nose helps to both protect the bridge of the nose and to stabilize the fit in that area and reduce leaks around the eyes.
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Permalink Reply by 99 on
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i noticed i one of the videos someone putting on a mask
and notice that the mask was put over his head and coming into contact with his hair
ugg
hair contains a lot of germs
and you have spent all that time steralizing the mask only to contaminate the mask by brushing the mask against your hair
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Thanks, this helped. the sleep center has sent me home with many models to try for a few nights. I have a TINY problem. I have tried 11 masks, and finally have one that seems to work. But, I hear my pulse all the time, except if my head is in one position all night. Then, my neck is sore. I asked my doc, and he said he had heard this complaint a few times before, and followed up with neurological studies, and nothing was ever found conclusive. The thump, thump, thump is annoying, but I can live with it. Any suggestions?
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My guess is that it is quite likely that the headgear is pressing on or running over the carotid artery or near to it. But that is just a guess by a patient, not a medical professional.
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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on
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Rock, Thanks,
Everything you said works for me but starting with the machine on. The pressure blows the soft part of my Mirage Quattro out so it's impossible to place down on my face. I usually get some leaks as the night goes on as I move around alot, but tightening the mask on the bottom always helps and is not uncomfortable. Maybe the headgear stretches out some during the night.
Anybody tried one of those special pillows? I'm wondering if I could make one myself.
Thanks,
Mary Zimlich
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I have a problem, I have tried 3 different masks and the respiratory tech told me the problem is I am in between sizes, a small is too little and a medium is too big. Now, the only way that I truly feel there are no leaks is if I have the straps pulled as tight as possible, and I feel great when I wake up BUT, I do have a red mark over the bridge of my nose, and the impression of the mask reddens my skin....... any ideas ?
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I spent the $ on the Pillow & my personal opinion is WASTE !!, I found that using my robe, or I also have a pillow that is very fluffy, works better than the pillow made for the mask. Just my opinion ;-)
Mary Zimlich said:Rock, Thanks,
Everything you said works for me but starting with the machine on. The pressure blows the soft part of my Mirage Quattro out so it's impossible to place down on my face. I usually get some leaks as the night goes on as I move around alot, but tightening the mask on the bottom always helps and is not uncomfortable. Maybe the headgear stretches out some during the night.
Anybody tried one of those special pillows? I'm wondering if I could make one myself.
Thanks,
Mary Zimlich
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And yet that is how so many of us are forced to choose a mask. And when that mask doesn't work, we have no alternative but to buy a different mask, chosen in the same manner. Repeat a couple more times and that's where I am right now. Frustrating...and expensive, since it's all out of pocket.
Kristina Zabala said:Good advice, Rock. CPAP can only help you sleep better if you have a good-fitting, non-leaking mask. The sleep center I go to let me try a few at home before I found the perfect one. Sitting up in a chair trying a mask on without air is NOT the way to test-fit a mask.
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Permalink Reply by susan mccord on
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Kim, the fitting problem doesn't belong to you, it belongs to DME!!! That's their freakin' JOB and there are a gazillion masks and manufacturers out there. My DME guy fits me in a chair that's a recliner and then has me lie back and just relax while he fine-tunes it.
One thing I learned on SG was that Mack's Silicone Ear Plugs could be used to cushion noses, etc., and also to help provide a better seal. You can get them in drugstores--I get mine at Walgreen's but they're all over the place. Don't get the foam ones--you need the silicone ones so you can mold them to any shape you want..
I've never had a problem with the redness and soreness some people talk about till I got my new full face mask (it's my 4th mask!!). It's been leaving an increasingly sore, broken out place on my nose. SO, now I've been using 1/4 of a Mack's, flattened out and held firmly on my nose where the spot is--it holds all night and ends up sticking to the mask in the exact same place in the a.m. IT WORKS!! My nose is getting better every day. Plus you can use the same 1/4 (or however much you need--they come 4 to a package) for several nights. They last a long time which is good cost-wise.
I've also been told on here that the same silicone stuff can be used and shaped in all kinds of ways to close up leaking places in masks. I haven't had to use that yet, but I will if mine starts to leak. It's GREAT stuff. I think Judy may have been the one who told us about it in the first place.....
You might wanta give it a try--maybe it would make your mask work better for you. It may help with the red marks on your face too, 'cause if it stops leaks you wouldn't have to strap it on so tightly.....
Susan McCord :-)
kim smith said:I have a problem, I have tried 3 different masks and the respiratory tech told me the problem is I am in between sizes, a small is too little and a medium is too big. Now, the only way that I truly feel there are no leaks is if I have the straps pulled as tight as possible, and I feel great when I wake up BUT, I do have a red mark over the bridge of my nose, and the impression of the mask reddens my skin....... any ideas ?
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