Would anyone use slightly used masks?

[Kdog25]

I started CPAP a little over a year ago. In my quest to find the one that fits/worked best I've tried a few. I now have a couple that were barely used that don't work for me.

I'd really like to just give these to someone that could use them. I assume there's a way to clean them good enough. I'm sure some would never consider using a mask another person used but I hate the thought of just disposing them. Ideally I'd luck to give them to someone who has a need, tight finances/no insurance for example.

Or am I just nuts thinking someone would use a mask that someone else used?

Thanks for any input/direction.

I have a Quattro Air medium (cushion and frame ONLY) and a F&P Forma combo pack with medium and large cushion.

[ironhands]

yes; I'm poor.

Some DME's offer a free sterilization service, if one were to go in and sit through a sales pitch. I'm sure there's a market somewhere for slightly used parts.

[Stormynights]

When I had my first sleep study the lady told me that they sterilized and reused the masks. I have sterilized and tried a lot of used masks. We used to have a cpap auction where we could buy them cheap and try them out. I miss that.

[Kdog25]

Yea I figured the masks at sleep labs were re-used as are a lot of masks of different types in hospitals.

[chunkyfrog]

In the hospital, nearly everything you touch has been touched, washed, and touched again, ad infinitum.
Cleaning products and procedures improve all the time.
Secondwindcpap sells used machines (some very reasonably).
Forum members regularly trade cushions and other mask parts, including me.

[ironhands]

blerg

[ironhands]

blarg

[StuUnderPressure]

There used to be an auction? Maybe I'll setup a site to sell/exchange/give spare parts this weekend.

I'm sure many people would benefit. I know I'll have 2 leftover masks from the Wisp (since it comes with 3 sizes) I'm sure someone who uses the others would be happy to trade the unused pieces for the ones they'll use.

*edit*
I'm bored so I'm doing it now lol
cpapexchange.co.nf

There is already a thread for "pillow" exchanges at

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=36070&p=882817&hili ... ge#p882817

[ironhands]

awesome, deleting the site then. OP can post there

[nanwilson]

When we want to exchange things we just go the THE GREAT PILLOW EXCHANGE (all caps) thread and post there, otherwise we just post a new thread if you want to give away or cheaply sell masks. I have traded and given away numerous masks in the past with no problems whatsoever.

[archangle]

Most manufacturers have a "sterilization" guide for reusing masks. I have the link for ResMed in my useful links in my signature line.

I've acquired some used masks at various time, and I've usually boiled a big pot of water, turned off the heat, and then dropped the hard plastic and silicone parts into the water and let it sit until it cools. I never boil any foam parts, and some "short" hoses on the masks are known to be susceptible to melting in boiled water.

If you're willing to risk damage on a used mask, dropping into just below boiling gives me a lot of confidence.

Note that even boiling water doesn't kill all germs, but it does kill a large percentage of the harmful ones.