Would you buy a used mask?

[N6CRV]

Hello, would you be worried about buying a used mask? I see there are some for sale but how do you make sure they are clean and safe to use? I can see where a machine would be fine but how do you know what if anything the user of the mask had/has?
Thanks
Don

[SleepyRose]

Hi Don, I saw one at auction that had been used. The price was excellent and I was tempted but didnt. I know I can probably easily disinfect the mask but theres something about it...like using someone elses toothbrush.

Also, they didnt say how long it had been used so for all I know the cushions could be old and ready to be replaced. JMO FWIW.

[NeurosurgeryNP]

Yes I would and I have. Just make sure you disinfect it to prior to use. There are CPAP disinfectant solutions available at cpap.com. Many of us buy masks only to find out that they are not he right mask for use after a couple of uses.

In fact, many sleep centers reuse their mroe permanent type of masks after disinfection. This is so they can trial you with a more permanent type of a mask (geared for sleep centers) versus a cheap disposable mask used for hospital inpatients that is often very uncomfortable.

[tomjax]

Questions such as this will bring out the germophobes with all their irrational fears.
The probabuility of getting any infection this way after a careful soap and water and normal cleaning approaches zero, but this is never enough to assuage the fears of those obsessed with such.

Every day of our lives we some in contact with things much more likely to cause problems, but our immune system usually takes care of such concerns.

Suppose we go back to our young and pretty days and someone sets us up with a blind date, the equivalent of a used mask etc.
Do we insist on sterilizing this person?
Are there much concern of all the bodily fluids this may lead to?

I would highly suggest all here to do a search on "hygiene Hypothesis" and see the consequences of iirrational fear of microbes.

Much of our present day diseases may just be the result of trying to avoid all the things that serve to strengthen our immune systems.

The probability is very small.
Ignorance can sometimes be very harmful.

[rested gal]

Yes I would and I have.

Ditto.

[Wulfman]

Yes I would and I have.

Ditto.

Same here. (is that "Tritto"?)


Den

[OutaSync]

I have no more problem wearing a cleaned, used mask than I have eating with a restaurant fork. And I have more control over how the mask has been cleaned than I do the fork.

[DoriC]

One of our kind friends on this forum generously donated his used FF mask to us and it arrived in pristine condition ready for just a general cleaning. We are grateful to have it as our alternate and do happily use it with no ill effects.

[LinkC]

I have no more problem wearing a cleaned, used mask than I have eating with a restaurant fork. And I have more control over how the mask has been cleaned than I do the fork.

Great! Now I won't be able to eat at restaurants anymore... lol

(For the record: I've bought a used mask, I eat out, and I kiss complete strangers on occasion!)

[Dennisla]

I have no more problem wearing a cleaned, used mask than I have eating with a restaurant fork. And I have more control over how the mask has been cleaned than I do the fork.

Great! Now I won't be able to eat at restaurants anymore... lol

(For the record: I've bought a used mask, I eat out, and I kiss complete strangers on occasion!)

HA!! Now that I think of it that way, I'm with you on that too.. Ugh!
I'll have to carry plastic forks now.

Just kidding.

[dieselgal]

I have bought several used masks and sold several too. I just clean the mask thoroughly once I get it will vineger and/or anti bacterial soap and have never had a problem. I have also never had anyone send me a nasty mask. Most of us clean thoroughly before shipping too.
That is the only way most of us can afford to try several masks until we find the one we like.

[Skitties]

I have bought several used masks, and recently bought a Mirage Quattro FFM for $30.00, used a week, as opposed to $149.00 new. I have had no problems - I clean them with anti-bacterial soap, along with the headgear.

Much better to spend $30.00 than $149 and find out you don't like it.

I am OCD so if I can do it, so can you

Skittles

[SleepyRose]

[quote="tomjax"]Questions such as this will bring out the germophobes with all their irrational fears.
Thats me!

[kteague]

I am by far not a germaphobe, just have a few areas of quirkiness. Used CPAP masks make me cringe just a bit, but not enough for me to not use one after cleaning. I've both bought and sold them. Everything I've got wrong with me I already had.

[SleepyDragon]

Its a great way to try different masks without spending a lot of money. Even if a DME provider allows a 30 day trial (some don't), you have to buy one at full price in the end. Also, I've used three different DME providers and none of them had a very large selection of masks. There is a huge selection of used masks on the web. Auction sites are great because if a mask doesn't work for you, just put it back up for auction and get some of your money back.

... Just my two cents worth.