Swift II Nasal Pillows Loud Air Exhaust

The Swift II is very comfortable, but compared to Activa or Comfort Classic masks, considerable air is force anteriorly out the vent holes. Is this "normal".

The pillows not only exhaust more air through the ports, but make inspiration and expiration noisier than with a face mask.

Hmm, I don't recall my Swift II exhausting anywhere but through the vent holes. Maybe the cap that slides over the barrel needs adjusting or the barrel is bent? Does the fit still look tight on both sides (top and bottom)?

They have improved that mask from plain swift, imo, and quieted it down with the swift lt. I still use the swift II when nose hurts from overtightening swift lt and I find it comfortable also, but with me it has been more prone to leaks. I think when I switch to side sleep the hose gets pushed on. The swift lt has a clip on top of head to attach hose, allowing me free movement during night. jlk

sleepydawn wrote:Hmm, I don't recall my Swift II exhausting anywhere but through the vent holes. Maybe the cap that slides over the barrel needs adjusting or the barrel is bent? Does the fit still look tight on both sides (top and bottom)?

The leak is ONLY from the vent holes and loud and high flow (leak is "5") compared to the Activa and Comfort Classic. BUT the Swift II is super-comfortable.

I don't have the Swift II, but I have the LT, the FX and the Activa, plus a host of other masks

I find the Swift masks a little noiser and I think that there are two reasons:

1. There is a very small area to "hold" the air inside the mask, so the vent outflow comes out with more force. However, I find the Mirage Micro the quietest mask ever, and there's not much space in that mask either

2. I think the short hoses with these masks increase the "conducted noise".

JMHO, more scientific minds may have a better explanation.

Ahh, okay, I think I registered your post as anterior of the vent holes, though I see your post actually clearly says "out". This your first Swift? I haven't tried the Activa or Comfort Classic so I can't compare those. I don't think the Swift II is terribly loud compared to many but the newer Swifts are definitely quieter than the older ones. If you are comfortable with the Swift II other than the noise and you want to continue using it, maybe you can compare another Swift II at the DME to see if there is a difference in sound with yours? Otherwise, I agree with jlk that the LT and FX are very quiet and comfortable. Most people seem to be very happy when they make the change from one Swift to it's next generation.

Thinking this over I realize that I haven't used my Swift II pillows with the original tubing for quite a while. My Swift II barrel is connected to my Nasal Aire II tubing. The Nasal Aire II is usually a very loud mask but I think that is due to the fact that the vent holes on the nasal prongs were poorly designed. I don't think the tubing is the reason it was so noisy. Maybe my Swift II pillows only seem quiet because they are connected to the Nasal Aire tubing. I seem to recall very thin tubing on the Swift II. Mine broke and I don't have an amazing memory so hopefully someone else will weigh in on this.

sleepydawn wrote:Ahh, okay, I think I registered your post as anterior of the vent holes, though I see your post actually clearly says "out". This your first Swift? I haven't tried the Activa or Comfort Classic so I can't compare those. I don't think the Swift II is terribly loud compared to many but the newer Swifts are definitely quieter than the older ones. If you are comfortable with the Swift II other than the noise and you want to continue using it, maybe you can compare another Swift II at the DME to see if there is a difference in sound with yours? Otherwise, I agree with jlk that the LT and FX are very quiet and comfortable. Most people seem to be very happy when they make the change from one Swift to it's next generation.

The noise was noticeable but not bothersome in part because I always use a wax or foam plug in my external auditory canal in the ear which points to the ceiling, the right ear. That increases the nasal flow noise, but decreases the vent noise. The air flow on my hands, which is bothersome, is eliminated by keep my hands under the bed sheet. No big deal, as I fall asleep within 60 seconds, The Classic and Activa are also "hand blowers" but the protective sheet works well.

Masks should vent anteriorly and superiorly.

Physician wrote:keep my hands under the bed sheet

Please keep your hands where we can see them.

You can make an air diffuser for most masks that almost completely removes the air blast effect.
I've been using mine for about a month now, and I can't see any downside. There is no effect on the air outflow from the mask.
My diffuser is made from an A/C intake filter, but I'm sure the normal CPAP filter would be fine.
see my previous post
viewtopic/t55230/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=54 ... t=diffuser

greg-g wrote:You can make an air diffuser for most masks that almost completely removes the air blast effect.
I've been using mine for about a month now, and I can't see any downside. There is no effect on the air outflow from the mask.
My diffuser is made from an A/C intake filter, but I'm sure the normal CPAP filter would be fine.
see my previous post
viewtopic/t55230/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=54 ... t=diffuser

Excellent !! From where does one get this kind of filter ? Composition ?

The filter material I use is the standard air inlet filter for a ducted heat pump or air conditioner.
Anyone that sells, installs, or maintains this equipment should have it.
Its a very small amount that's required. Its a little bit like matted hair.
Its also similar to the standard inlet filter of my ResMed S9 but coarser, but I'm this filter would be equally effective.

Do you know if swift lt is suitable for a higher pressure like 15?

Yes, people successfully use the Swift nasal pillows with pressures up into the 20's. My high pressure is 15 and it's just fine (FX and LT).