Mirage Activa Nasal Mask won't Seal

rosenc1c · Post by **rosenc1c** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 10:30 am

I am a newbie to CPAP, been using it for less than 2 weeks. I started using the ComfortSelect mask, and it would not seal very well at all. I have now switched to the Mirage Activa. The first couple of nights I thought it was great, but now I'm having trouble getting it to seal as the night goes on. I'm puzzled as to why it seemed to seal so well the first couple of nights and now it is more prone to leak? Any ideas?

curtcurt46 · Post by **curtcurt46** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 11:16 am

I use the activa with great success and it is currently my number one.
My pressure runs from 9-14cm. Even at the high end I have no leaks. i wear the mask very loosely as the air pressure inside the mask completes the seal. The mask cushion must be washed daily to remove facial oil.

What pressure are you using?

Tell us more.

curtcurt46 · Post by **curtcurt46** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 11:17 am

Please complete your profile and more folks can assist you.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 11:31 am

Do you wash the mask cushion daily? There are many means of cleaning that people use. I use baby wash (johnson's head to toe or store brand equivalent) and a vinegar and water mixture daily. I have found that if I do not wash the cushion daily then it loses its "tackiness" and I get leaks. The cushion is easy to remove from the Activa (the green snaps on each side and at the bottom of mask frame) and re-install.

TM

rosenc1c · Post by **rosenc1c** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 11:52 am

Thank you, I think I need to clean it daily. I'll try that and see if it works.

PS I also filled out my profile, thanks for the tip.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 1:46 pm

if you have taken the Activa apart to clean it, that is probably your problem.

You have to insert your thumb on the inside of the mask and work your way around to seal it to the main frame or it will leak like a sieve.

I never take my masks apart to clean them, I remove the headgear with the clips and clean them fully assembled. I fill a sink with hot water, squirt in some Dawn Citrus liquid hand soap, give it the ole bar glass agitation action, rinse and your done.

FL andy · Post by **FL andy** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 2:26 pm

The Activa is truly one of the most reliable masks on the market.

If you have taken the mask apart make sure you reassemble it according to manufacturer's direction. THEN, do not take it apart again. Wash the mask as one piece in warm soapy water and rinse well.

Do not forget to WASH YOUR FACE and remove all the soap - every night.

Just follow the mfgr directions and you'll the Activa.

Andy

Vader · Post by **Vader** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 4:12 pm

All the advice about washing your mask daily (and your face, of course )
is all good advice.
I think the Activa is a GREAT sealing mask, and I would also add that it's probably the ONLY mask that I have no fears of taking it apart. Just make sure that the green tabs on the cushion all "click" when you snap it back together.
I think the mask is made exceptionally well, and much as I like my Ultra Mirage Full Face mask, I really wish the Activa was made as a full face mask as well.

bbeck4x4 · Post by **bbeck4x4** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 6:45 pm

/wishful thinking mode on/
if only resmed would listen to US and make a full face activa, there stock would go through the roof.

maybe even from our purchases alone.
/wishful thinking mode off/

oh well, it was a nice thought

Moogy · Post by **Moogy** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 7:28 pm

If I forget to wash my Activa, I get good results by wiping the seal with a cotton tshirt. That seems to take off the facial oil almost as efficiently as washing.

I also have no problems with taking off only the seal for washing. However, I have found that I need to always check to be sure the little colored (green? bluegreen?) triangular frame piece is inserted into the little groove before reassembling the mask. If it is just a bit out of the groove, I get a leak.

Moogy

Offerocker · Post by **Offerocker** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 7:32 pm

YUP, the Activa made me compliant the first night I had it on! As stated, don't need to cinch it like a saddle either! That baby will find your face and stick to it, regardless of movements during the night.

I gave up my Comfort Lite 2 for it, and the Activa is the only mask I'll ever need.

One night, however...air was BLASTING ALL OVER THE PLACE!
It seems that 'somehow', it had partially come apart and I needed to reseat it. Not a good thing to need to do when soo tired. But now I know!

(I confess that I do not give it a DAILY cleaning), but when I do, I also use Dawn (for dishes).

How I wish I'd 'discovered' that mask earlier!

Take care of it, it's your new "best friend"!! .

curtcurt46 · Post by **curtcurt46** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 8:58 pm

I use the activa and I wash only the cushion daily, the weekly wash the whole thing. It's my favorite up to now. I have been trying the F&P 407 and have good results. It's lighter than the activa but it leaks much easier. Right now the 407 is my second choice.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 10:02 pm

Try placing the mask on your face and securing the headgear enough so that the mask does not fall off your face.

Turn the machine on. The mask will expand, then adjust the headgear starting with the bottom straps, then the top straps. DO NOT over tighten your headgear.

This should help.

NeurosurgeryNP · Post by **NeurosurgeryNP** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 8:29 am

Also make sure that the straps are very loose and that you did no tighten them up in the cleaning process. It will leak if it is too tight on your face.