Activa users-I could use your help

Babbie · Post by **Babbie** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 12:36 pm

First of all, I LOVE the Activa. However, it seems that after wearing a new mask about 2-3 weeks, it starts to leak. I wash my face every night, wash it daily with baby shampoo and let dry and once a week I wash, rinse well, soak in vinegar & water, then rinse well again and let air dry. Is there something I'm doing wrong or does this mask just have a short life-span?? I have great insurance that will pay for the mask part of the set-up monthly but I feel guilty having to replace them so often. Any experiences you'd care to share, I'd appreciate it.
Kathy

biggziff · Post by **biggziff** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 2:05 pm

I've had mine for about a month. I wipe it off about once a week with a washcloth and that's about it. It actually works better now than it did to begin with, but some of that is due to readjusting the forehead piece.

CharlesJ · Post by **CharlesJ** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 2:38 pm

Bobbie,

I've had mine now since the beginning of August. Each morning I take wash it off with Johnson's baby soap and let it air dry. It's been great.

Perhaps you might try monkeying with the little adjustment between the forhead brace part and the mask thingy that controls the angle of attack?

The only thing that I dislike is (this might be a little weird) sometimes the mask part touches my upper lip. It's an uncomfortable feeling.

Good luck!

Chuck

Kenv · Post by **Kenv** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 2:55 pm

I used to have leaks with my Ultra Mirage FF mask and to stop it leaking I had to pull the straps so tight they hurt. I realized that the problem was that the straps attaching to the top part of the mask, where the head pads are, was way too tight so it was necessary to pull the bottom straps way too tight to get an overall seal. All I did was to loosen the top straps so that the mask sat square on my face, I don't get many leaks at all now and I don't have the mask anywhere near to tight. Hope that helps.
Kenv

Babbie · Post by **Babbie** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 3:28 pm

It sounds like you guys are cleaning, etc. about the same that I am (except for biggziff). I've got the straps set very, very loose (as Lori, restedgal, etc recommended), I've had them set the same since I got it. It seems just fine in the beginning, then after wearing it a couple weeks or so, it starts leaking. I just don't get it and was wondering if this is happening to anyone else (apparently not so far in the posting anyway). Thanks for the help and suggestions.

groggybob · Post by **groggybob** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 4:47 pm

Could it be possible that your straps have stretched a bit? I have the Mirage 2 and needed to adjust the straps occasionally for the first couple months. Now it works fine. BTW, I leave the top straps so loose you wouldn't think they are doing anything at all and use the bottom straps to control leakage.

Bob

nodding off · Post by **nodding off** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 6:23 pm

Try leaving it for a good soak in the vinegar, if you aren't already. I have 2 Activas, one of them being around a year old. I travel with the old one, and it doesn't leak since I started soaking it all day right before a trip. I( don't remember who posted that tip, but I got it right here in this forum. Another suggestion is that if your DME will replace mask parts, try putting a new bladder on the old mask frame without readjusting your straps and see if it still leaks. If it doesn't, there may be something in your chemical makeup that is causing the mask's seal to break down.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 7:03 pm

Babbie,

Try taking your finger where it leaks and actually pull the seal outward until it stops leaking air. I found that helped seal it really well. Hope it works for you.

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 7:12 pm

I started the Vinegar tip and still swear by it. I have an Activa that is 18 months old and works as well as the day I bought it. My suggestions are, quit cleaning so much, you weaken and wear out the seal. Don't take it apart at all! Use 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water and soak all night, rince and dry. Keep the top straps very loose, too loose to sit up in without it falling and keep the bottom strap loose but holding in place. This is a great interface for masks and most problems with it is people feeling compelled to overclean, unless others or pets handle it, you don't have to clean but once a week. Of course this does not apply if you have a cold.

Babbie · Post by **Babbie** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 8:58 pm

Thanks for all the tips. I have never taken it completely apart like they show on the CD---geez, there are a million parts to this thing---I'd never get it back together!! When I clean it daily I just take both bottom straps off, hold the whole headgear in one hand (so not to get it wet), swish it around in water & baby shampoo and let dry. Weekly I take the cushion off and the little plastic triangle thingy (I'm SO scientific!!), wash all and let soak in vinegar and water mixture for 30 minutes, rinse and let dry. R&R, you think I'm cleaning it too often?? I thought you were to wash it so you didn't get oil on it from your face (even though I wash mine nightly) and break down the material...... I see your point - I'll try it your way and see what happens. I'm also going to maybe tighten up the bottom straps just a smidge. The top one I leave very loose and don't think that's the problem. Lori ----was really glad to hear from you!! I've missed reading your posts, hope this finds you doing well. Let us know how it's going "hose-free". I read earlier that some are wondering where you are. I'll let all know how this works. Thanks!!
Kathy

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 9:18 pm

Lot's of great advice from everybody! I wipe the face of the seal off every morning with warm water on a soft cloth then flip the straps over backwards, re-buckle them and hang the mask from the same hook that my hose loops over so that the "shock absorber" part of the mask is expanded and gets some air circulation. I only clean it if it develops some odor (gross!) or I'm sick, and I do take mine apart. Just have to be gentle! So far, it's the best all-around mask I've found and Chuck, don't feel bad - it IS a funny feeling when it touchs your lip although I've pretty much gotten used to it. It usually is telling me that the straps have shifted a bit and a slight re-adjustment is needed.

HappyHoser · Post by **HappyHoser** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 9:19 pm

Ahh.. I forgot to log in!!! That's me.

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 9:38 pm

IMHO, quit taking the straps off, you can't get them exactly put back the same and if you get it just right, the next day you have changed it. I NEVER change or remove the straps once I have it right. I also think you are washing too much and again, IMHO, I would never use baby shampoo. I think vinegar expands the rubber back out, the shampoo, any soap, contracts it. There will be some that argue this, but again, I never use it or any soap, and I never have seal problems. Also, I don't think 30 minutes in the vinegar is enough, I soak for at least eight hours.

Babbie · Post by **Babbie** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 9:48 pm

Thanks R&R--I have 2 Activas and one I just put in a water/vinegar mix and will leave it tonight to soak. I actually have marked on the straps with "white-out" where they're to be---when I say I take the bottom straps off, I don't take it all apart, I just unclip them. You've given me some great advice --thanks for taking the time to help!!
Kathy

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 9:57 pm

My pleasure! Please let me know how it goes. I am just giving you advise that works for me and that I either figured out overt the long haul, or based on what others have come to my aid an taught me. Good Luck!

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