Swift fx drying my eyes out something awful!

[sewsleepy]

Anyone else had this problem with the fx and have any ideas for solutions?

I just switched a couple weeks ago from the LT. The fx fits great, no leaking at all, seals really well, is very quiet and overall I love this mask! Except for one thing- the exhaust air comes out with velocity and causes a lot of air movement around my face. You can't arrange this one to blow the air in the direction you want; the way the hose connects it always swings to the lowest spot. It tends to blow straight down the covers (brrrr!) or else into my eyes. I use a ton of genteal gel but it is not enough to keep my eyes from drying out. Had to see the doctor my eyes were so bad the other day. Another night, it was pointed at my lip I guess, I woke up my lip was so chapped it was bleeding.

Sleep mask is no good; it blows right under it.

I hate to give up on this mask it works so well otherwise. Is there any way to baffle that exhaust port? or ?

[scrapper]

I put about a half layer of a filter over the port with tape on the top and bottom to disperse the air flow a bit.....not enough to block it of course. It does the trick for me.

[robysue]

Scrapper,

Care to provide a few details?

What filter? The fine filter? And how do you cut it into a half "layer"?

I'm really interested: My own solution has been to wrap a really loosely woven piece of bandage gauze (the kind found in first aid kits) around the vent holes and secure with rubber bands. Because of how loosely woven the guaze is, it doesn't block the flow of air, but it does disrupt it a bit. And most of the time that "bit" is just enough to keep the exhaust jet from bouncing off the covers and into my eyes.

I really wish someone from Resmed would pay attention to the multiple threads about the problems the FX's vent holes cause for users. They advertise these silly holes as a "feature" of the mask.

[Beachmeezer]

I just started using this mask and love it. But I too hate the exhaust vent. It's so low and I like to snuggle covers up to my chin that I end up covering the vent. I hate the slinky connection hose too
Kim

[scrapper]

I use a white ResMed filter--just pull the layer apart carefully with my fingers, and then tape it with about 1/4" tape all of the way around on the top and bottom to secure it over the holes. One night I tried a layer of panty hose.........that made a horrible noise!

If ResMed corrected this, it'd be the absolute perfect mask for me! Like others, with a small bit of lab ratting--it can be.

The exhaust vent on a Swift FX is enough to power a jet..........esp at pressures over 21!

[Janknitz]

Hanging your hose over your head really helps. It points the exhaust up and out, away from your body and the bedding.

[jdm2857]

I find that routing the hose upwards (attached to the top strap of my chinstrap, and then on to a homemade hose hanger), plus strategic use of the top sheet to cover my arms (and sometimes a cat) minimizes exhaust problems for me.

[robysue]

I know hanging the hose would help. But I really can't stand for the hose to go up over my head because it feels like it's blocking my face. And it shortens my tether so to speak. But for those who don't have problems with routing the hose up over their head and headboard, this is the solution to the jet plane exhaust from the FX.

Still wish Resmed would redesign those exhaust holes or provide some kind of diffuser or deflector to break up the exhaust flow and make it less of a well-defined, intense stream.

And I'm at low pressures. Can't imagine what that jet engine flow must feel like for people with high pressures.

[Janknitz]

I agree ResMed should redesign the exhaust vent. What were they thinking??? "Hey, I've got a great idea--let's angle these vent holes to guarantee it blows on the patient or bed partner."

Meanwhile, I have mine hung from a homemade contraption with a pulley. I made it out of a clothesline pully and an elastic headband (the previous version used a sewing bobbin as the pully and a key chain!). Simple, and it gives me lots of range of motion. It is mounted to the side of my bed, so the hose isn't hanging directly in front of my face unless I'm on my right side, and when I am, I'm asleep. I can watch TV in bed with my CPAP on and no obstructed view.

[kempo]

I was having the same problem until I bought one of these.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/HoseBu ... ystem.html

It sure has helped.

[sewsleepy]

I am so amazed to read everyone's replies, I didn't realize other people had a problem with this also! It's good to know I'm not alone.
I am really happy to have some ideas to try, thank you everyone! And yes, please resmed, fix this monstrous exhaust and you'll have the perfect mask, no competition really.

[gre123]

I found that wearing a nice cloth sleeping eye mask did the trick for me. Plus, I sleep later when the morning light doesn't wake me up. Good Luck!

[Uptoolate]

Hi,
I'm new to posting but have been reading occasionally for a while. My eye doctor prescribed Genteal Severe gel at night, which pretty much seals your eyes shut!, and Systane Ultra to clear them in the morning. Works well for me.

[Janknitz]

I am really happy to have some ideas to try, thank you everyone! And yes, please resmed, fix this monstrous exhaust and you'll have the perfect mask, no competition really.

Yeah, If ResMed ever fixed this problem, the could [italic] blow the competition away[\italic]


OK, I could not resist this. Ha ha ha!