Leak solution?

JeffH · Post by **JeffH** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 11:29 am

As I've been reading this forum I hear so many people talking about leak problems. Don't know if I'm on to something or not, but my old fashion Adams nasal pillow system hardly gives my any problems at all. I just looked at my leaks per lt/min on my machine and the average for the last five days is 13.2. That's pretty low.

Could it be that all the new fangled mask are not as good as the old tried and true? And the replacement parts are cheaper to boot.

Just a question...

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): nasal pillow

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 2:55 pm

When folks discuss having trouble with leaks ... they are usually referring to leaks above and beyond the specific mask's designed CO2 exhaust rate.

Each mask is different with regard to designed exaust rate. In general, the larger the mask ... the larger the designed CO2 exaust rate.

JeffH · Post by **JeffH** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 3:24 pm

So are the leak rates of different masked published anywhere as a group?

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 5:03 pm

This is a link to most of the popular mask leak rates.
http://www.internetage.com/cpapinfo/leak-rates-1.html
Hope it helps.

Brenda

JeffH · Post by **JeffH** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 5:30 pm

That chart proves even more what I'm saying. I'm running an average of 15.8 on my pressure and the low leak rate I posted in my original post.

CollegeGirl · Post by **CollegeGirl** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 6:00 pm

Jeff -
You're not understanding. The "leak rate" you're speaking of (comparing old masks to 'newer' ones) is not really a "leak rate," but rather a vent flow rate. This is reported as leak rate by machines/software, but is in actuality the rate that used air is expelled by the mask. Therefore, the bigger numbers on vent flow rate are not problematic - they're just telling you that the mask moves more expelled CO2 out of the mask faster.

Now, anything over and above that is indicative of a problem. If the vent flow rate for my mask is 30, and I'm getting leaks of 50, that's 20 over, and that's a problem.

Just as if your vent flow rate was 13, and you were getting 33, you'd have a much lower leak rate, but your numbers would still be as problematic. See?

I don't believe the older interfaces are less leaky. It just depends on the interface and how it's made, in relation to the shape of a person's face, oil on a person's skin, etc. There are too many variables, really to be able to make a blanket statement like that.

JeffH · Post by **JeffH** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 6:53 pm

Hell, I never claimed to be real bright...LOL

pippyn · Post by **pippyn** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 10:08 pm

i referenced the chaart, and of course, -my- mask isn't there. i have the resmed ultra mirage nasal mask. any ideas what's "normal" for that?

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 10:32 pm

pippyn, perhaps this is your mask (or close enough to it, if you have a model "2"):

UltraMirage nasal original

After the picture loads, you can probably click the picture to make it bigger and easier to read.

pippyn · Post by **pippyn** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 6:20 pm

ok...so if i'm readin it right, a leak of between 30 and 35 l/min is normal for a pressure of 10. thanks!

SelfSeeker · Post by **SelfSeeker** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 11:41 am

pippyn,

If you have the mask that RestedGal
gave the flow chart for, then yes you are reading it right.

pippyn wrote:ok...so if i'm readin it right, a leak of between 30 and 35 l/min is normal for a pressure of 10. thanks!

Mask

Additional Comments: Equipment isn't correct, S9 ASV w/H5i