New full face mask and long term storage

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Rob K
Posts: 642
Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2017 5:22 pm

New full face mask and long term storage

Post by Rob K » Sun Feb 19, 2017 8:38 pm

Had a cold this last week and needed to pull out the old FFM. It's a couple years old and there were white deposits forming on the silicone. There were also chemicals leaching out of the silicone and the color is turning yellow. I cleaned it up and it helped me to get through this cold so I could go back to using my nasal mask. Looks like I'll need to invest in a new FFM to have on hand for the next cold. I'd like to get some opinions on new full face masks and discuss long term storage.

I haven't found any mask comfortable, but the ones I seem to tolerate the best are from Resmed. Have been using Airfit N10 with pretty good success and previous to that I had an Airfit F10.

I would like to get something similar to the Airfit F10 FFM to have around for when I get a cold. I'm having a problem with the F10 in that they do not have a cushion that fits me well. Large is too tall and reaches from the bottom of my eyes to the bottom of my chin and leaks quite a bit. The medium is the correct height, but it is narrow and leaks at the corners of my mouth.

I searched the cpap suppliers and it looks like there's a few masks that are somewhat similar in construction. Airfit F10, Airfit F20, Quatro FX, all by ResMed. I'm really annoyed by the masks with the forehead piece so I typically steer clear of those. Does anyone have any experience with these three masks or know of any that are similar?

Also my local DME charges 3-4 times what I can buy the mask off the internet for. They also require an appointment to be able to try stuff. Plus I don't plan on buying from them so if I can figure things out with your help I'm going to go that route instead.

What can we do for long term storage to slow the silicone break down process? I hate to see my investment become junk sitting on the shelf waiting to be used.

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: AirFit™ N10 Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Resmed F10 Mask for colds. When camping on battery power I use P10 mask and PR 560p machine.
Last edited by Rob K on Sun Feb 19, 2017 9:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Rob K
Posts: 642
Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2017 5:22 pm

Re: New full face mask and long term storage

Post by Rob K » Sun Feb 19, 2017 9:06 pm

I was just on the ResMed website and found some fitting procedures for the Airfit F10 & F20. Quatro FX just had some general measurements with everything assembled. No specifics on the cushion size. For the F10 & F20 I was able to figure out that I need a medium using their height measurement tool, but since they say nothing at all about width, the information they have is only partially useful to me.

I already know the F10 medium is the right height, but too narrow. I need a medium also for the F20, but need to figure out if the width has changed at all from the older F10. And knowing any of the sizing on the Quatro FX cushion would help in my endeavor.

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: AirFit™ N10 Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Resmed F10 Mask for colds. When camping on battery power I use P10 mask and PR 560p machine.

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LSAT
Posts: 13229
Joined: Sun Nov 16, 2008 10:11 am
Location: SE Wisconsin

Re: New full face mask and long term storage

Post by LSAT » Sun Feb 19, 2017 9:21 pm

I found that the F10 and F20 were much narrower that my Quattro. I have used a Med Quattro for years and have tried the F10 and F20 in Lg. Still too narrow and I'm back to the Quattro. The silicone on the Quattro can be boiled so it comes out like new. My cushions last at least a year.

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: Fisher & Paykel Vitera Full Face Mask with Headgear (S, M, or L Cushion)
Additional Comments: Back up is S9 Autoset...... Buckwheat hull pillow

Rob K
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Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2017 5:22 pm

Re: New full face mask and long term storage

Post by Rob K » Sun Feb 19, 2017 9:31 pm

Are you talking ResMed Mirage Quattro or Quattro FX? Also do you have any width measurements for the F10 & F20 medium. If the F20 was just a little wider than the F10 I think it would work for me.

Have you tried boiling the Airfit cushions?

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: AirFit™ N10 Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Resmed F10 Mask for colds. When camping on battery power I use P10 mask and PR 560p machine.

Rob K
Posts: 642
Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2017 5:22 pm

Re: New full face mask and long term storage

Post by Rob K » Wed Feb 22, 2017 4:26 am

I just found that there are three different Quattro's so I'm not sure which you are talking about. Mirage Quattro, Quattro Air or Quattro FX. Mabye they all have the same size cushions. Wasn't able to figure that out from the manufacturer website since their fitting procedures are somewhat vague.

Still need to figure out if the width has changed from Airfit F10 to F20. I'll contact the manufacturer and see if they can provide some useful information.

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: AirFit™ N10 Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Resmed F10 Mask for colds. When camping on battery power I use P10 mask and PR 560p machine.

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LSAT
Posts: 13229
Joined: Sun Nov 16, 2008 10:11 am
Location: SE Wisconsin

Re: New full face mask and long term storage

Post by LSAT » Wed Feb 22, 2017 6:45 am

Rob K wrote:Are you talking ResMed Mirage Quattro or Quattro FX? Also do you have any width measurements for the F10 & F20 medium. If the F20 was just a little wider than the F10 I think it would work for me.

Have you tried boiling the Airfit cushions?
I am using the original Mirage Quattro....those are the cushions I have boiled. I have an F20, but have never tried boiling it since I rarely use it. The opening on Med cushions of my Quattro are wider that the Lg cushions on the F20.

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: Fisher & Paykel Vitera Full Face Mask with Headgear (S, M, or L Cushion)
Additional Comments: Back up is S9 Autoset...... Buckwheat hull pillow

Rob K
Posts: 642
Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2017 5:22 pm

Re: New full face mask and long term storage

Post by Rob K » Wed Feb 22, 2017 2:32 pm

It sounds like Mirage Quattro will be wide enough. Thanks for that option.

Anyone have a comparison between Airfit F10 &F20?

Any comparisons for Quattro FX?

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: AirFit™ N10 Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Resmed F10 Mask for colds. When camping on battery power I use P10 mask and PR 560p machine.

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Wulfman...
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Location: Nearest fishing spot

Re: New full face mask and long term storage

Post by Wulfman... » Wed Feb 22, 2017 3:15 pm

Rob K wrote:What can we do for long term storage to slow the silicone break down process? I hate to see my investment become junk sitting on the shelf waiting to be used.
I would suggest keeping them in a sealed bag and in a dark (cool, if possible) place.
Late last Summer, I took out one of the UMFF masks that had been stored away since September of 2006 (sealed in original bag and box) and tried it out for a month or two.......worked just fine.......no deterioration at all.

The "white deposits" could be remaining body oil residue. Washes/rinses off fairly easily.
Being exposed to light (UV rays) probably turns the silicone yellowish but is not necessarily detrimental in itself.


Den

.
(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05

Rob K
Posts: 642
Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2017 5:22 pm

Re: New full face mask and long term storage

Post by Rob K » Wed Feb 22, 2017 8:09 pm

Cushions are stored in a dark room, so no uv. There was a wet chemical leaching out of the silicone and they are yellowing. I suspect this just happens with age. I will try putting them in a sealed bag from now on since this was not done in the past.

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: AirFit™ N10 Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Resmed F10 Mask for colds. When camping on battery power I use P10 mask and PR 560p machine.

Rob K
Posts: 642
Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2017 5:22 pm

Re: New full face mask and long term storage

Post by Rob K » Sat Apr 29, 2017 6:12 pm

Thanks to NadiaK; here are some width measurements of full face masks at their widest point. Also read on cpap.com that the Mirage Quattro FX is a little smaller than the Mirage Quattro that LSAT suggested. Likely will give the FX a try.

All size medium:
Airfit F10 3.75"
Airfit F20 3.75"
Quattro FX 4"
Amara View 3.5"

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: AirFit™ N10 Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Resmed F10 Mask for colds. When camping on battery power I use P10 mask and PR 560p machine.