Respironics ComfortGel Nasal Swivel Post breakage

[Johnoc]

Last night at 2am, my third ComfortGel swivel clip post broke. That's 3 in 2009! This one lasted less than 60 days. I'm not twisting, jamming, slamming or otherwise rough on this product, it just breaks when clipping the headgear on. Can't believe the CPAP Community isn't screaming for a design change. The mask itself works pretty well for me but the design of the headgear attachment is the pits!

[harry33]

Ive used these masks for years, the nose only version and cant see what is breaking, can you describe it more
soaking mask in hot water can soften clips that hold sections of mask together, so dont do this

the part that presses against forehead can be knocked off to easily but can be replaced by squeezing the 2 adjustment clips

where the black ball joint clips attach to the clear plastic is a poor design, too weak and the clear plastic breaks too easily, so dont try to pull mask and headgear down onto face from top of head

early versions had farting or helicopter vibration noises but the maker seems to be making attempts to quieten the mask

so why do I stay with them? the resizing feature gives me a very good fit with no leaks

[LSAT]

I have been using the Comfort Gel mask since I started with CPAP. It's been 8 months with no problems. I've read that some people have this breakage problem so I am careful when I put on and take off the mask.

[Blue Snuffle nose]

Hi there,


I shifted from comfort select [gel mask] to nasal pillows swift because of the same issue just have handle it push at it and ,"snap" they goes a perfectly good mask. As I often move around when sleeping the pillow are great.......good subsitute as broken 3 mask in one year so I ditched having the normal and decided on nasal pillow instead!

[Goofproof]

Last night at 2am, my third ComfortGel swivel clip post broke. That's 3 in 2009! This one lasted less than 60 days. I'm not twisting, jamming, slamming or otherwise rough on this product, it just breaks when clipping the headgear on. Can't believe the CPAP Community isn't screaming for a design change. The mask itself works pretty well for me but the design of the headgear attachment is the pits!

Yes they break, partly by design, partly by the user not knowing how to use the product. Two reasons they break easily, the clip is designed to be pulled out of the holder in a upwards pull towards the forehead, it's not to be forced forward to the front that breaks the tabs off. Having the mask too tight, so you can't move the ball upwards to remove easily, makes it harder to remove correctly.

You can repair the broken ears with epoxy, I use superglue to position the ear back on, then use epoxy to make the repair secure, if the parts are clean this works pretty well, but it would be smarter to figure out how to remove it without breaking it in the first place.

One cents worth of plastic added to the China made mask would make it a non-issue, but that's not going to happen. Every mask that breaks sells one more mask, this is what they want, plus that one cent they saved by not making it correctly in the first place. Jim

[harry33]

Ivce repaired a couple of mine where the clear plastic broke from pressure from the black ball joint with an electric drill and some wire and epoxy glue

the annoying thing is that previous respironics CPAP masks were much stronger where the elastic of the headgear was attached, I routinely left mine with the headgear tensioned to suit my face and head and removed it by pulling it all upwards and off the top of head, later replacing it by pulling it all down onto face and head from top of head

tried this with new comfortgell and caused breakages soon.

my sleep doc says many masks break often and seem flimsy and poorly designed