Mask question: Airfit F10 Full Face Mask

[Bobby120446]

I am thinking of trying the ResMed Airfit F10 Full Face Mask, because I have seen several postings that say it works well with a (reasonable) beard. I sleep on my side a lot, and I wonder if the upper plastic arms of the mask, that attach to the headgear, wouldn't push the mask to the side and break the air seal. Any side-sleepers who have experience with this mask??? Thanks.

[Wulfman...]

I am thinking of trying the ResMed Airfit F10 Full Face Mask, because I have seen several postings that say it works well with a (reasonable) beard. I sleep on my side a lot, and I wonder if the upper plastic arms of the mask, that attach to the headgear, wouldn't push the mask to the side and break the air seal. Any side-sleepers who have experience with this mask??? Thanks.

Your bed pillow will probably be more of a factor in pushing masks out of alignment than the type of mask that's used.
There have been numerous discussions regarding bed pillows on the forum and many people have their own particular favorites.
Mine is in my profile (below). Some people like the ones filled with buckwheat hulls, others like a piece of foam and carved to their liking with an electric knife. There have been a number of pillows designed for this therapy and some just work better than others. Standard fiberfill pillows are terrible.
I'm a dedicated side-sleeper with a full face mask, but have never used the mask you're asking about.


Den

.

[cwillis]

I am thinking of trying the ResMed Airfit F10 Full Face Mask, because I have seen several postings that say it works well with a (reasonable) beard. I sleep on my side a lot, and I wonder if the upper plastic arms of the mask, that attach to the headgear, wouldn't push the mask to the side and break the air seal. Any side-sleepers who have experience with this mask??? Thanks.

Your bed pillow will probably be more of a factor in pushing masks out of alignment than the type of mask that's used.
There have been numerous discussions regarding bed pillows on the forum and many people have their own particular favorites.
Mine is in my profile (below). Some people like the ones filled with buckwheat hulls, others like a piece of foam and carved to their liking with an electric knife. There have been a number of pillows designed for this therapy and some just work better than others. Standard fiberfill pillows are terrible.
I'm a dedicated side-sleeper with a full face mask, but have never used the mask you're asking about.


Den

.

Den, I'm interested in possibly purchasing a Chiroflow, do you find that it is a more firm pillow or soft or does that only get influenced by the amount of water added? Also you said that some CPAP designed pillows work better than others, can you elaborate a touch?? Thanks in advance.

[Wulfman...]

I am thinking of trying the ResMed Airfit F10 Full Face Mask, because I have seen several postings that say it works well with a (reasonable) beard. I sleep on my side a lot, and I wonder if the upper plastic arms of the mask, that attach to the headgear, wouldn't push the mask to the side and break the air seal. Any side-sleepers who have experience with this mask??? Thanks.

Your bed pillow will probably be more of a factor in pushing masks out of alignment than the type of mask that's used.
There have been numerous discussions regarding bed pillows on the forum and many people have their own particular favorites.
Mine is in my profile (below). Some people like the ones filled with buckwheat hulls, others like a piece of foam and carved to their liking with an electric knife. There have been a number of pillows designed for this therapy and some just work better than others. Standard fiberfill pillows are terrible.
I'm a dedicated side-sleeper with a full face mask, but have never used the mask you're asking about.


Den

.

Den, I'm interested in possibly purchasing a Chiroflow, do you find that it is a more firm pillow or soft or does that only get influenced by the amount of water added? Also you said that some CPAP designed pillows work better than others, can you elaborate a touch?? Thanks in advance.

I haven't tried any other CPAP-designed pillows. I was using my Chiroflow long before I started this therapy and it worked great for me after I did start. It's kind of hard to describe, but it's a "firm softness". The theory is that you can adjust the height of the pillow to keep your head, neck and spine in alignment. But, I found that it will hold a shape (I like a little indentation) and does have some firmness (obviously due to the water).
On occasions I've either tried using a standard fiberfill pillow or have not had my water-based pillow handy and it has made for very difficult sleeping for me. I got so used to it, it's hard to sleep without it.

Like I said, there have been others......the "PAP pillow", some with buckwheat hulls and then some folks just take a chunk of foam and carve it up with an electric knife to their likings.


Den

.

[cwillis]

Thank you sir, I have a whole evening planned around my next sleep strategy, great evening.

[SilverIce]

I'm a side sleeper who tends to bury his face into the pillow. I tried the F10 for a month or so. I didn't really have any leaks on the bottom or sides, but I had heaps of trouble with the F10 riding up and leaking into my eyes, waking me up. Tightening it down left marks on the bridge of my nose and keeping it loose caused leaks. I just couldn't find the happy medium. I got the CPAPFit buckwheat pillow, but that didn't really do anything to help, either (side note: I don't want to sound like I'm knocking the CPAPFit. It's been fantastically supportive and comfortable. I recommend it highly). Eventually I exchanged the F10 for a Simplus FFM and it's been leaps and bounds better. No leaks around my eyes and it keeps a good seal overall, even with my side sleeping and face burying. I think the bellows on the bridge area along with the forehead support help to stabilize the mask and keep it in place for me better than the F10.

[Guest1]

I use an AirFit F10 and a Quattro Air. I get a good seal with both. No major leaks. And I am an active side sleeper. The good thing about these masks is that they use the same air cushion and don't need to be tightened too much.

I suggest you tweak your F10's strap tensions so that you can play "rough" with it. Test it by wearing it with the machine on, and dig into the pillow and see if you can do this on each side without causing a leak. And then you can sleep on any pillow.

I think the trick in making a mask work for you is experimenting with the tension of mask straps and finding the sweet spot according to your facial topography. For me, the AirFit F10 is worn with top straps tight and lower straps very loose. The Quattro Air is worn with top straps loose and lower straps tight. They use the same cushion but my facial topography and the two different mask's different anchor points make the task of finding the correct fit, a bit more interesting

[JimP]

I am thinking of trying the ResMed Airfit F10 Full Face Mask, because I have seen several postings that say it works well with a (reasonable) beard. I sleep on my side a lot, and I wonder if the upper plastic arms of the mask, that attach to the headgear, wouldn't push the mask to the side and break the air seal. Any side-sleepers who have experience with this mask??? Thanks.

I tried the F10 for about 3 weeks and had the problem getting it to seal properly. I think it had more to do with the contour of the mask not really fitting my face. I then went with the Amara which sealed better. Ultimately I went with the P10.

In hindsight, I think maybe the problem I was having with the F10 may have had something to do with me being on bi pressures. The mask would modulate on my face where if you were on a single pressure it wouldn't. So between the mask moving all through the night, I think it prevented me from getting a really good night sleep in addition to the leaks. I'm a side sleeper as well as a mouth breather. I had absolutely no problem going back to being a nose breather after years of being a mouth breather during my sleep.

[Sheriff Buford]

I have used the F10 with success and I have a goatee. The mask is light weight and a fine full face mask.

Sheriff

[Macpage]

I am thinking of trying the ResMed Airfit F10 Full Face Mask, because I have seen several postings that say it works well with a (reasonable) beard. I sleep on my side a lot, and I wonder if the upper plastic arms of the mask, that attach to the headgear, wouldn't push the mask to the side and break the air seal. Any side-sleepers who have experience with this mask??? Thanks.

I have been using the F10 for 5 months as a side and stomach sleeper at milder pressures. I can say that you can use it effectively as a side sleeper and a few others have reported the same. Not sure on the beard. However, you are right to have concern about the arms. I have found that the even though the F10 is a great cushion the frame features are more designed for supine. As you note, the upper arms in an effort to reduce pressure marks are designed rigid to float somewhat. They will hit your pillow and can upset the seal as you move in the night. The same is true of the lower strap attachment posts. They are handy but to be this way they stick out from the frame a lot more than a simple strap slot. Lastly, the F10 has a circle diffuser that is really quiet and calms the air somewhat vs. some direct vents. Yet, this can aim some air upwards which bounces off the pillow side sleeping into the eye area.

It can work and I have little problem if combined with the right pillow, angle, adjustment, etc. Like all things xpap it takes some work. I wish Resmed would make an active version of this F10 with side sleepers in mind. It could have lower strap slots like most other masks and then the top strap attachments could be face fitting soft silicone extensions similar to something like the Wisp nasal mask design. These would allow one to sleep on their side without disturbing the cushion much at all. It would be close to a perfect ffm for side sleepers who could fit the cushion.

You may also look at the F&P Simplus ffm. It has a similar cushion to the F10, but its design may facilitate side sleeping better for some. I liked its feel when fitting, I just didn't have time to work with it, and I do plan to revisit it in the mask journey. It's early for me and now I'm working with nasal masks. I wish you the best. If you find something great in a ffm, let me know.

Best,

Mike

[cathyf]

I have the opposite problem with the F10 -- it seals great while side sleeping, but leaks if I am supine. It REALLY leaks if I'm sitting up and looking down (for example when I start a mask fit cycle and don't get down fast enough, and I am sitting on the side of the bed looking down at the machine's display.) It tends to leak out the bottom of the mask.

[Macpage]

I have the opposite problem with the F10 -- it seals great while side sleeping, but leaks if I am supine. It REALLY leaks if I'm sitting up and looking down (for example when I start a mask fit cycle and don't get down fast enough, and I am sitting on the side of the bed looking down at the machine's display.) It tends to leak out the bottom of the mask.

Agree. In the few moments I am on my back. It can leak tilting the head up and down. I seem to find this to be the case with other masks I have tried as well, especially looking down.

Best,

Mike

[Jay Aitchsee]

I have the opposite problem with the F10 -- it seals great while side sleeping, but leaks if I am supine. It REALLY leaks if I'm sitting up and looking down (for example when I start a mask fit cycle and don't get down fast enough, and I am sitting on the side of the bed looking down at the machine's display.) It tends to leak out the bottom of the mask.

Agree. In the few moments I am on my back. It can leak tilting the head up and down. I seem to find this to be the case with other masks I have tried as well, especially looking down.

Best,

Mike

You both might find a soft neck brace (collar) helpful.
Like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Carex-Health-Bran ... cal+collar

[Jay Aitchsee]

I am thinking of trying the ResMed Airfit F10 Full Face Mask, because I have seen several postings that say it works well with a (reasonable) beard. I sleep on my side a lot, and I wonder if the upper plastic arms of the mask, that attach to the headgear, wouldn't push the mask to the side and break the air seal. Any side-sleepers who have experience with this mask??? Thanks.

As a sometimes side sleeper, I have had no problems with these newer masks, the Simplus, Quattro Air, or the Airfit F10.

[Bobby120446]

... you are right to have concern about the arms. I have found that the even though the F10 is a great cushion the frame features are more designed for supine.

Thanks for the detailed evaluation. With almost every mask I have tried, some component of the frame contacted the pillow with side sleeping and tended to dislodge the mask and break the seal.

You may also look at the F&P Simplus ffm.

Interesting you should mention F&P. I have used the F&P FlexiFit HC431 Full Face Mask for several years, and it is the only one I have used that does NOT have a troublesome frame. In fact it is the only mask I have ever bought twice. I will check out the Simplus as well, since it’s time for a replacement.