Exhale ports on AirFit F30i

[cabanalane]

There are two exhale ports on the F30i mask. One on the top elbow joint, and one on the front of the cushion. I hope "exhale ports" what you call it.

With the CPAP machine on, air flows out of both ports. It's design that way.

Will the air "leaking" out of from the exhale ports somehow affect the effective pressure the CPAP machine is trying to generate? Does it mean I need/should turn up the pressure setting a bit using the F30i?

Compare to the F20 for example, there are exhale flaps, and only open when I exhale. But not holes in F20 where air is leaking out. My AHI results are similar between F20 and F30i.

Just trying to understand F30i. I've search many F30i videos in youtube. And no one seems to address that.

TIA

[Julie]

The 'air' leaking out is CO2, and it's supposed to vent out or you would get sick, so don't block the vents with bedding, etc.

[GrumpyHere]

Compare to the F20 for example, there are exhale flaps, and only open when I exhale.

The flaps are part of the Anti-Asphyxia Valve on the elbow
It opens when the CPAP is off, not when you exhale.

The vents are on the ring on the elbow. Exposed in the old style, covered in the new ones.


https://ap.resmed.com/knowledge/aav-anti-asphyxia-valve

What is AAV (Anti-Asphyxia Valve)
AAV | Anti-Asphyxia Valve
The AAV is a safety feature in all ResMed full face masks. If the therapy device stops delivering air for any reason (e.g. in a power failure), the AAV allows you to breathe in fresh air from the room rather than re-breathe exhaled air built up in your mask.

[palerider]

Will the air "leaking" out of from the exhale ports somehow affect the effective pressure the CPAP machine is trying to generate? Does it mean I need/should turn up the pressure setting a bit using the F30i?

No, pressure is pressure, the machine measures the pressure and spins the blower fast enough to generate the desired pressure.

The fact that there are two vents in the mask you're talking about doesn't matter, because they're both sized to give the desired total amount of venting that's desired.

Compare to the F20 for example, there are exhale flaps, and only open when I exhale. But not holes in F20 where air is leaking out. My AHI results are similar between F20 and F30i.

Nope, the flaps on the F20 only open when the machine is *OFF*, they close when the machine starts to blow, otherwise all the air, (and pressure generated by it) would all blow out the AA valve holes.

[ChicagoGranny]

But not holes in F20 where air is leaking out.

Just to be clear, all CPAP masks have designed venting which does not close at any time. This is to clear your exhaled air and prevent CO2 buildup. (For the F20, see GrumpyHere's illustrations.)

[cabanalane]

Thank you everyone.