Should my mask be blowing air away from me all the time?

[Zelman]

I have a Resmed LT Swift nose mask, and I am wondering if it should be blowing air constantly through the little grid at the tip of my nose. It is blowing this air away from me, and it seems to me that this is making some audible noise in the room. Shouldn't that just be blowing whenever there is too much pressure? I thought it to be a pressure relief valve. Or does this mean my pressure is too high?

[jdm2857]

The air is coming from the vent designed into the mask. It is there to flush exhaled carbon dioxide out of the system. Without the vent, exhaled CO2 would build up inside the mask and cause big problems. The vent is not there to relieve excess pressure. The CPAP machine takes care of pressure regulation.

Sometimes the vent flow causes noise problem. This varies from mask to mask, and also on your positioning. If the vent flow hits something close (like your pillow) it tends to be louder.

[Physician]

I have a Resmed LT Swift nose mask, and I am wondering if it should be blowing air constantly through the little grid at the tip of my nose. It is blowing this air away from me, and it seems to me that this is making some audible noise in the room. Shouldn't that just be blowing whenever there is too much pressure? I thought it to be a pressure relief valve. Or does this mean my pressure is too high?

And in a related matter.... I'm annoyed by the Activa mask blowing air on my hands when I sleep on my left side. I made a plastic attachment to direct the flow upwards only.

[sheepdog]

I know your problem. I sometimes think the developers of these masks and paps are not OSA patients and don't even know any.

Vents blow on you not away. The expensive mask to avoid leaks actually leaks more than the cheap one. "Just adjust the straps properly"

There IS no properly for my face! And who made the rule that sleep studies should cost $5000 ? You dont even get to sleep at one of those!!

I think thats why in a recent poll on this site we see that the second highest score was for " I rest better but still am tired".


Pap is better than no pap but it aint all that impressive yet. Welcome to our world.

[guest guest]

Physician, Can you post a picture or more info on your design to redirect the exhaust flow?

[djr1215]

I have a Resmed LT Swift nose mask, and I am wondering if it should be blowing air constantly through the little grid at the tip of my nose. It is blowing this air away from me, and it seems to me that this is making some audible noise in the room. Shouldn't that just be blowing whenever there is too much pressure? I thought it to be a pressure relief valve. Or does this mean my pressure is too high?

I'm not prone to panic attacks, but this caused one during my titration at the sleep center. I was having to work at breathing because they had me with a nasal mask despite the fact that I have a deviated septum and don't breathe well through my nose. I did not feel that blowing air until about 1/2 way through the night and when I did I thought all my air was escaping, I panicked! Started calling for the tech, which caused more problems because every time I opened my mouth it felt like a bolus of air was blocking my airway. Finally ripped off the mask.
Now I'm more used to it and just have to remember to keep my arms and bedsheets out of the way so it doesn't make too much noise.

[Janknitz]

Welcome, Zelmen,

As jdm explained, that outflow is normal. Annoying, but normal. The noise is worse with some masks compared to others. The Swift LT is actually relatively quiet, but it takes some getting used to anyway.

If it's too loud chances are the airflow is hitting something solid like your pillow or the bedclothes. Shift your head a little bit or rearrange the covers, your pillow, or your body. During the summer, you can pretend it's a "personal air conditioning device". During the winter, it's just cold

[kempo]

My Swift FX blows air out the front all the time in a downward direction. I really don't notice it unless I put my hand in front of it. I have a floor fan blowing in my bedroom the year round, white noise, so I can't hear the mask or the s9 running.

[chunkyfrog]

I try to pull up a corner of the bedding onto my husband's shoulder when I sleep on that side. He complains about the cold air.

[cpap'er]

I wish they would design the air vent to blow back on my face to keep me cool thru the night...lol

Like Janknitz mentioned i only notice a noise when i have something blocking the vent like a pillow or my arm....im using the ResMed Swift FX..a nasal mask is the only thing i could find to hold in my kinda pressure properly despite my deviated septum problem and difficulty breathing thru my nose too as Djr1215 mentioned.

[Physician]

Physician, Can you post a picture or more info on your design to redirect the exhaust flow?

I actually did THREE redirects since the damn air flow on my hands prevented me from falling asleep in my usual 30 seconds.

1. Small pieces of black electrical tape to occlude four holes

2. Epoxy to occlude those same holes

3. A molded "U" shaped piece of plastic re-directing all the flow upward/superiorly.


Are any of you annoyed also by the air flow on your hands or a nearby person ?

[echo]

Are any of you annoyed also by the air flow on your hands or a nearby person ?

Yes! What's worse is that sometimes you find the *perfect* mask and all that's wrong is the vent. I'm really enjoying the comfortgel full by WHY OH WHY does it have to vent straight out at my partner?! I cannot sleep on my right side anymore. All masks should come with an optional gasket so redirect the vent in any direction we want! The activa blowing on my arms also annoyed me sometimes but routing it up over my head helps. While I'm ranting why can't they all use quick disconnect straps? The activa's straps are GREAT, but the stupid Respironics masks use this crazy clip system, while prone to breaking, are also VERY inconvenient to undo. rant rant rant.

[Janknitz]

I actually did THREE redirects since the damn air flow on my hands prevented me from falling asleep in my usual 30 seconds.

1. Small pieces of black electrical tape to occlude four holes

2. Epoxy to occlude those same holes

3. A molded "U" shaped piece of plastic re-directing all the flow upward/superiorly.


Are any of you annoyed also by the air flow on your hands or a nearby person ?

Oh Yeah! I love the Swift FX, but the vent drives me nuts. Because of that 45 degree angle, the cold blast of air is almost inescapable. At least the Swift LT vents straight out--it's easier to escape.

Physician, do your tweaks cause the vent to be more noisy???

[Physician]

I actually did THREE redirects since the damn air flow on my hands prevented me from falling asleep in my usual 30 seconds.

1. Small pieces of black electrical tape to occlude four holes

2. Epoxy to occlude those same holes

3. A molded "U" shaped piece of plastic re-directing all the flow upward/superiorly.


Are any of you annoyed also by the air flow on your hands or a nearby person ?

Oh Yeah! I love the Swift FX, but the vent drives me nuts. Because of that 45 degree angle, the cold blast of air is almost inescapable. At least the Swift LT vents straight out--it's easier to escape.

Physician, do your tweaks cause the vent to be more noisy???

Hole plugging -----> slight increase in noise. Diversion superior ----> quieter.

[sleepycarol]

I am not sure I would be closing up any holes. The holes are designed for one purpose -- to rid the mask of co2. If you close off part of the vents -- you are defeating the purpose of which they were intended. Even if you feel that there is enough air escaping you may find that might not be the case.

Just my 2 cents -- but I would NOT close up any of the vent holes in my mask as I want to be sure to wake up in the morning.