Swift for 7 months - what to replace, and how often?

n0trab · Post by **n0trab** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 12:18 pm

Thanks to lots of help on this forum, I got started with cpap and have been treated successfully for 7 months now, using a PB 420E and Swift mask. Unlike lots of folks here, I don't have a mask collection and (since the hospital) have used only the Swift.

For a week or so I find it has been slipping off several times a night. It was always a bit tricky that way but it's more than usual now and I'm not getting the quality of sleep I was -- big leaks, more often.

I'm thinking it may be time to replace the mask, or some of its parts. I think I've read on here that people tend to do that on a 6 month basis. (I have Aetna insurance and think that's their covered interval, I'm checking.)

Do I replace the whole mask, headgear and all? I wouldn't mind a spare, but to the extent I'm paying for replacements would replacing just the nasal pillows be enough? Or pillows plus short tube assembly? Seal rings?

Didn't find anything directly pertinent when I searched. I'd appreciate advice. Also any advice on stopping leaks that cropped up after it was working stably for a long time.

workingonthis · Post by **workingonthis** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 2:12 pm

My insurance pays for replacement every 6 months. And yes, I do notice that the older the swift gets, the more prone it is to leaks and slipping.

Some ppl have fashioned a velcro type thing to keep it from slipping. What has worked for me is to

1. Cut both legs off of a pair of stockings

2. Tie one side together into one long piece)

3. Loop through the back strap of the mask and tie again (like a rubber band)

4. put mask on and pull the stocking under each arm like a backpack

My mask fell off every night before I came up with this and I have not had one problem since.

workingonthis · Post by **workingonthis** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 2:20 pm

Also, they replace the mask, headgear, hoses, and filters.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 6:04 pm

Until you get a new mask, try soaking the present one in a solution of 1 part vingar to 3 parts water. Since you have only one mask you can't do it overnight, so soak it for a number of hours, then rinse and dry.

This was first recommended by Rock and Roll, and has helped many of us - myself included (I did this for the Breeze). And nobody ever reported that it did any harm.

viewtopic.php?p=35648#35648

O.

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 6:30 pm

If it is not giving you any trouble there is no reason to replace it. I've used a mask for over a year and it's still going strong.

I've heard of people using the same mask for years and years.

Don't feel you need to replace it "just because"

Yoga · Post by **Yoga** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 3:04 am

If the mask is sliding up in the back, I found that PadACheeks is the best solution. However, I don't see PadACheeks listed any more on the available items for sale on this site. It looks like someone else is making a similar product and Karen Moore is devoting her time to the new small cpap machine.