Exhalation vents - help !! Newbie w/question

i have been using a CPAP mask for about 2 years - nasal pillow type seems the most comfortable for me. My question is - the exhalation vents blow pretty much straight ahead - no matter which mask I try. So every time I roll over facing my wife, it blows air in her face.

Is anyone aware of a way to redirect the air, or a mask that vents somewhere other than forward? I am using a Mirage Swift II, and their literature says it disperses air gently downward - but not so.

Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.

You might try a Headrest Type Mask...by Aeiomed....used to be called the Aura. It blows upward....doesn't bother my honey. I've been using it for 2-yrs....and see nothing better for me. My AHI scores stay below 1.0

Please post your equipment....so that we can help you better.

Gerald

RanDen, I second Gerald's suggestion about trying the Headrest nasal pillows mask by Aeiomed. The very unique placement of the exhaust vent on the Headrest won't hit the bed partner, the bed covers, the head pillow, your arm...anything.

It's a mask that looks ridiculously bulky and awkward in pictures, but is amazingly light.

Here's a link to many, many discussion topics about that mask:

LINKS to HeadRest nasal pillows mask topics (same mask has had other names: Aeiomed Aura, then Headrest, then Invacare Twilight NP, then back to Headrest again.)
viewtopic.php?t=3098

Most DMEs have probably never heard of that mask or the company (Aeiomed) that makes it.

RenDen,

Have you tried the SwiftLT? While it is not as good as the Aeiomed's RestedGal mentioned in redirecting the air away, SwiftLt is still much more diffused, and usually does not come straight out in the same direction are some of the other masks. I was bothered with this problem before, but SwiftLT it is no longer a problem for me. I have used the Aeiomed's Aura too, but recommend you at least try SwiftLT since it has so many other advantages, IMO. You can find a lot of threads here talking about SwiftLT benefits, and fine customizations for it.

I use a pillow to redirect the exhaust. Find a light weight pillow and sleep with it over your head, that's what I do.

Thank you for the info. I read many of the posts on this mask, but they all seem to be from some time ago. Has the mask been redesigned, or will I need to make some or all of the mods listed?

RanDen wrote:Thank you for the info. I read many of the posts on this mask, but they all seem to be from some time ago. Has the mask been redesigned, or will I need to make some or all of the mods listed?

The Headrest mask has gone through several name changes, but has never been redesigned. The manufacturer (Aeiomed) made a few tweaks to the design along the way, but no major changes to it. It's essentially the same design as it was from the beginning.