How often should I change my mask?

andy88488 · Post by **andy88488** » Mon Dec 01, 2014 3:01 pm

Hi Guys,

Simple, dumb question here. About every 6 to 10 months, I get new mask cushions. About every 12 months or so, I get new headgear, because the elastic seems to loose it's elasticity.

As far as I understand it, these are the elements of my mask that need renewing regularly. Is there any point in buying a new MASK once in a while? I think I've had this one for over three years now. It seems fine, except maybe a little harder to clean (or maybe I'm not doing a good enough job of cleaning?)

Thanks,

Andy

herefishy · Post by **herefishy** » Mon Dec 01, 2014 3:18 pm

I had my last mask 5 years before the elastic got wacky, then changed styles, but no, there should be no other reason to change the basics of your mask.

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Mon Dec 01, 2014 3:51 pm

andy88488 wrote:Hi Guys,

Simple, dumb question here. About every 6 to 10 months, I get new mask cushions. About every 12 months or so, I get new headgear, because the elastic seems to loose it's elasticity.

As far as I understand it, these are the elements of my mask that need renewing regularly. Is there any point in buying a new MASK once in a while? I think I've had this one for over three years now. It seems fine, except maybe a little harder to clean (or maybe I'm not doing a good enough job of cleaning?)

I used my MQffm for four and a half years, had to replace the elbow twice because the first two broke, and the clicker thing in the forehead rest broke, so I just wedged some felt in there to hold it...

a couple times I got new headgears.

after four and a half years, the lip on the mask frame where the elbow clips in broke, and I got a new frame...

I'd seen the talk about changing cushions that the money grubbing DMEs push, so I bought a spare cushion way back when... it's still in it's bag, the cushion has been the most durable part of the mask for me

Wulfman... · Post by **Wulfman...** » Mon Dec 01, 2014 5:09 pm

andy88488 wrote:Hi Guys,

Simple, dumb question here. About every 6 to 10 months, I get new mask cushions. About every 12 months or so, I get new headgear, because the elastic seems to loose it's elasticity.

As far as I understand it, these are the elements of my mask that need renewing regularly. Is there any point in buying a new MASK once in a while? I think I've had this one for over three years now. It seems fine, except maybe a little harder to clean (or maybe I'm not doing a good enough job of cleaning?)

Thanks,

Andy

Well, if you've got "the one" that works for you, then I'd recommend having a spare or two handy.
I have a total of 7 Ultra Mirage Full Face masks.......4 in Large and 3 in Medium (I can wear either size).
But, I'm primarily using the one I originally started with in 2005 (Large). Have replaced the headgear once (2009) and the seal/cushion once (2011). Replaced the forehead support (dropped it on hard floor and broke) and the elbow/anti-asphyxiation valve assembly (also broke somehow).

Other than that, my leak rates seem to get lower the longer I use them.

Den

.

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Mon Dec 01, 2014 7:12 pm

My pillows start leaking badly at about the three week point. Regular washing doesn't seem to help much, but
I pay enough for my Part B and my supplement, so I feel no guilt about getting what I have already
over-paid for via my premiums.

Rastaman · Post by **Rastaman** » Mon Dec 01, 2014 7:18 pm

I have been wondering this very same thing myself. I have 2 extra cushions for my F&P Eson and in the past I might just replace the whole mask after about 6 - 12 months depending on how stretched it is but that was with my previous Comfort Gel Original. I have found I'm feeling better and even getting better results on my numbers since switching to the Eson (although my left nare isn't 100% satisfied with some minor irritation). If the straps hold up I can see just switching out the cushion every 6 or so months. My guess is that each mask has a different life-span and from the sounds of it they can last up to 5 years if taken care of.

I see no reason to be wasteful buying too many masks. And it appears my new DME has already given me 2 cushions. I'm not sure how often my current insurance pays for replacement items. I'm about to find out though. Chin straps can stretch out a bit also I have noticed after a certain length of time. That's one I can see going through maybe 2 per year on although other people's mileage probably varies. I'm always open to suggestions. Anyone else use an Eson and just change out the cushions instead of replacing the mask?

englandsf · Post by **englandsf** » Mon Dec 01, 2014 7:25 pm

There's a world of difference between what you CAN do based on your insurance and what you SHOULD do. Most pillows follow recommended 30 day cycles and headgear follow 90 day cycle,s I think. That's what my insurance pays for a therefore what I take. I use at about half that rate so I'm building up a set of spares - one headset and five pillows since June.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Dec 01, 2014 8:41 pm

andy88488 wrote:Is there any point in buying a new MASK once in a while?

What I have learned over the years is if you have found a mask that works for you - that you like - stock up on them while you can. Sooner or later they will stop making that mask and it may be sooner than you think. That includes all the parts needed like the pillows or cushions, headgear you can sometimes improvise.

andy88488 · Post by **andy88488** » Tue Dec 02, 2014 8:28 am

Wulfman... wrote: Well, if you've got "the one" that works for you, then I'd recommend having a spare or two handy.

Thank you, everyone, for chiming in. I guess that confirms what I thought, that other than the "soft" components, the masks don't need to be replaced. I do like Den's point about keeping a spare. The last time my mask broke, I had to use a mask I hate to keep me going until the new one arrived. It was the only spare I had.

Denial Dave · Post by **Denial Dave** » Tue Dec 02, 2014 9:08 am

Ditto for me..... I have a small stockpile of various parts for my preferred mask along with 2 complete spares.

Guest wrote:
andy88488 wrote:Is there any point in buying a new MASK once in a while?
What I have learned over the years is if you have found a mask that works for you - that you like - stock up on them while you can. Sooner or later they will stop making that mask and it may be sooner than you think. That includes all the parts needed like the pillows or cushions, headgear you can sometimes improvise.

dadbar1 · Post by **dadbar1** » Tue Dec 02, 2014 10:16 am

I like keeping a separate mask and a few spare parts when I travel. Sometimes the plastic bits get broken en route. Usually I disassemble the ratcheting top from the rest of the mask...otherwise it is just more landscape for breakage...

As a routine I replace my mask every year because I can. Having an inventory of plastic parts comes in handy.

Tatooed Lady · Post by **Tatooed Lady** » Tue Dec 02, 2014 3:42 pm

Is there a life expectancy on the hard plastic, figuring minor abuse, average use...before it starts to get brittle?

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Tue Dec 02, 2014 3:52 pm

Tatooed Lady wrote:Is there a life expectancy on the hard plastic, figuring minor abuse, average use...before it starts to get brittle?

well, with my ffm, I think it was more of a design flaw with the first two ridiculously expensive elbows, they had fairly thin fingers that held them in the hole, the third one, they'd gotten rid of the fingers and created an extended lip and ledge... and that one lasted years, (the first two broke fairly quickly.)

it's a hard plastic, so there's not much give, and if you're flexing it (to remove the elbow for cleaning, or go get a sip through a straw at night without fully unmasking, or adjusting the knob at top... it stresses the plastic and eventually, *snap*.

Wulfman... · Post by **Wulfman...** » Tue Dec 02, 2014 8:35 pm

Tatooed Lady wrote:Is there a life expectancy on the hard plastic, figuring minor abuse, average use...before it starts to get brittle?

I think it depends on the particular mask, the use/abuse they get and the definition of "hard plastic". Some of them look pretty flimsy anymore, but maybe that's deceiving. I would suspect they've engineered some "planned obsolescence" in them.

Some of the heavier frames can take alot of wear. However, some have thinner areas that may be weaker points. The thing I like about my masks is that all the parts are replaceable. If something does break, I can borrow a part from one of my spares to get me by until I can buy a replacement part.

Den

.

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Tue Dec 02, 2014 9:22 pm

Since there are new masks coming out every now and then, there's no harm in checking out possibilities,
--just in case the makers suddenly decide to discontinue it (I suspect out of sheer evil)
(Of course, being female, I have had more than one favorite bra style vanish for no good reason.).

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