My Experience with FP HC405 Nasal Mask Compared to Swift

[grayson]

Let me begin this post by thanking everyone for participating in this great forum. I've been using a CPAP for about 5 months now and only discovered this gathering recently. It's been an eye opening and informative experience to say the least.

I've been using a Swift mask since day one of my treatment. My RT told me that it was enormously popular and very light weight. He was correct on both counts. Since I was brand new to CPAP I assumed that all masks would sound like someone had strapped a jet engine to your face so I tried very hard to tolerate the Swift until I discovered this forum and read about the endless searches most of us engage in to find a mask we can live with.

I spent about two weeks searching the forum on the keywords silent, quietest, and noisy and thereby learned a great deal I wished I had known from the beginning. Last week I ordered 2 masks both FP, an Acclaim and an HC405. They arrived yesterday. We had dinner guests who stayed late last night. So I had little time to adjust and setup these masks. I fully adjusted the HC405 first and, as it was getting late, I decided to use it last night rather than go back to fully adjusting the Acclaim as well.

As one of the forum members indicated in the post I read, the FP HC405 is virtually silent. The only mask sound I could hear was my *slightly* amplified breathing through my nose since the HC405 is a nasal mask and your nose is essentially surrounded by an echo chamber. However, it's somewhat of a stretch for me to even refer to this as mask noise.

Admittedly since I had little time to adjust the mask before having to go to bed. I wore it a bit on the tight side to ensure that I'd have a good seal. Unless I was able to fall asleep flat on my back quickly the Swift moved all over the place at night. As soon as its seal was slightly broken it made quite a racket.

The HC405 stayed put the entire night. I experimented with side sleeping on both sides. I don't think there's a mask made that won't move if you jam your face hard into a pillow. With normal movements and a little care the HC405 was rock solid. It stayed put and no leaks whatsoever. Best of all, it was virtually silent. The only sound I could hear was the low background sound of my machine.

I realize that you have to live with a mask for a while to find its strengths and weaknesses. I was so impressed with the silence of the HC405 that I had to write and share the experience in gratitude for the help so many of you have given me. I intend to experiment further with my Acclaim, also a FP mask. I've ordered a Mirage Ultra II and a Somnoplus as well on the basis of user experience with quiet masks.

By the way, the HC405 and the Acclaim both made by F&P come with precisely the same nosepiece so if one seals well for you the other will too. Primary difference is the hose position. Acclaim routes the hose over top of your head and the HC405 routes in below. Headgear is precisely the same on both with the exception of an additional small velco strap on the Acclaim to secure the hose to top of headgear.

My Swift is in a dresser drawer and there it will stay. From reading many posts I understand that we all have different levels of tolerance for mask noise. However, I don't know how any of you are able to tolerate the Swift. If you can and it stays in place for you then that's great. It is truly a feather light mask and a sturdy one too. However, if you can't tolerate its noise then I can honestly say that both the Acclaim and the HC405 are virtually silent when you have a good seal. The headgear they come with is very sturdy and no plastic clips - all velcro and wider bands than the Swift.

I hope this review is of help to someone. You've all given me a great deal of help and support. Good luck to everyone in your search for the perfect mask.

Grayson

[TANSTAF1]

I got my CPAP on Wednesday 10/25. By Saturday I had a red spot on my forehead that developed into a large open sore by Sunday. I was able to construct a pad made of moleskin, band aids, foam and plastic to straddle the sore. I saw the sleep center technician on Thursday, 11/2. She initially gave me the Respironics ComfortClassic because "that is what I used in my sleep study." At thei second visit, she showed me some other masks but did not allow me to try them and said HMO Blue would not authorize a new one for six months. When I inquired about buying them, she told me the ones I was interested in were $280 apiece.

That afternoon I ordered the two masks for a total of $110 for both. They arrived on Saturday!

One was the Fisher Paykel HC405. I chose to try that one first as the two pads on its head rest straddled my sore as the ComfortClassic only had one pad. The other one I ordered (the ComfortGel has a wide head band that would diffuse the pressure but would partly rest on the sore. The angle of that head rest is adjustable.

Granted I have only used it for one night, but I am very happy. It fits great. With not much effort I made it airtight, although I decided to back it off and allow minor initial leakage just after changing positions so I would not develop anymore sores. Minor repositioning of the mask (not tightening the straps) stopped that leakage. It does not move around even when changing position or if it presses against a pillow. The foam gel construction seems to make it less flimsy, but is still soft. The filtered vent points away from my face and the filter diffuses the exhaust so I do not get a stream of air on my arms or chest. It is quiet. The swivel joint on the elbow for the hose is not loose and does not leak and make a whistling sound like the ComfortClassic did. Because of the design of the head straps do not touch your cheeks near the nose. The straps are also designed for a quick disconnect without disturbing the length of the straps to minimize have to readjust the length after washing the mask. An extra pliant gel foam mask piece that presumably fits to the head plastic mask shell is included. I am not sure if this is just a spare replacement or if it is a different size. Anyway I am a happy camper.