Larger Leaks Mean More Pressure?

I've noticed a pattern that when the nasal mask is leaking more then the pressure is higher. Or I suppose it could be said the opposite way, when the pressure is higher then the leaks are higher. Just coincidence or is there a cause and effect?

jaycee2 wrote:I've noticed a pattern that when the nasal mask is leaking more then the pressure is higher. Or I suppose it could be said the opposite way, when the pressure is higher then the leaks are higher. Just coincidence or is there a cause and effect?

larger leaks do NOT mean more pressure. there is no even vaguely modern machine that increases pressure due to leaks.

they do increase the FLOW in response to leaks, to maintain the pressure at whatever it should be.

however, the absolute leak rate varies based on pressure, look at the chart that's in the back of your mask manual.

also, excess leaks are more prone to happen as pressure goes up, which makes sense, if you think about it.

Leaks occur because there is a pressure differential and an avenue for air to escape to lower pressure. A respiratory device will attempt to maintain pressure which may be seen as increased flow when leaks are present. Normally I would expect pressure to drop with increased leaks, and flow to increase.