Mask leaks, continuing

[formerobgyn]

I have had leaking with the Mirage, Quattro, and Hybrid. I am now trying the Respironics ComfortGel Full and the leaks seem to be along the "smile lines" of my face. Questions;1)if I use Mack's silicone to lay on the "lines", does it work best as a bead or as a flat surface? 2) I read somewhere about boiling the blue insert of the mask to formfit it but I am reluctant to put something that just came out of that kind of heat immediately on my face. Is there some further clarification?
Jim O'Brien

[ww]

There is a lot of information posted on the site that will help you. I would think the biggest problem you will have with the ComfortGel FF is that it is really heavy and will seal ok on your back but leak when you turn on your side.

I have had good luck with the Ultra Mirage FF. I had to shave before bed, wash the mask daily or at least the sealing ring, adjust the headrest out until the cheeks would seal, then if it leaked in my eyes, put a piece of moleskin about 3/4 x 1 inc on the bridge of my nose. It sticks too well, so had to dirty up the sticky part a little. Also used a wad of macks if I had any leaks around the eyes. Watch the video as adjusting the headrest is key to not leaking around the smile lines. If you still have leaks there make a piece of rope of macks and put it under the silicone thin sealing flap. That works but is kinda hard to remove except keep rubbing it and it eventually mostly comes off.

I did not try the boil the insert, but it should work ok. Be sure to let it cool sufficiently to be only warm on the part that touches your face. I bet it will change shape for several minutes after coming out of the hot water. I am sure it works, but just never tried it.

The biggest (and main) problem that I had with leaks on full face masks is the DME always fitted me with too large a mask. The mask sizes make no sense and a small Quattro is about equivalent to a Medium Ultra Mirage.

[jimbassett]

I would echo tha fact the small Quattro is equivant to the med. std. mirage ff. One of my Ultra Mirage FF mask in a med. std is a little larger than an identical mask I bought for a backup. Evidently their QC is NOT an exacting science. Just get it close is good enough. I like the Quattro FF better than the Mirage FF. No particular reason. Good Luck jim

[houltkin]

I am reluctant to put something that just came out of that kind of heat immediately on my face. Is there some further clarification?

Your mask should have come with a brochure to clarify how to do the boil fitting. I have done mine. Bring water to a boil. Take the pan off the burner. Immerse the blue gel thing 4 minutes. Then submerge it in cool water for 10 seconds-- This cools it enough. Then wear the mask for 5 minutes. It helps to put some pressure on the areas where you have experienced the leaks during this 5 minutes.

[alnhwrd]

When I use the Macks to help get a seal, I roll it into a small rope, make a gasket around the cushion where it contacts my face and smush it down.

[Needsdecaf]

Mack's will flatten out from the pressure and heat of your face.

Just put it on as a rope and let time do the rest.

[formerobgyn]

Thanks very much for the very helpful replies. I did the boiling bit and it seemed to be helpful for a couple of hours. Not wishing to fiddle around with the mask again in the early hours of the morning, I used the Mack's rope with perfect results the rest of the night. I think I will reboil the blue insert later today and instead of putting it in the mask for the 5 minutes of forming, just hold it to my face tightly
Jim O'Brien