FFM Users: Am I the only one?

[BleepingBeauty]

I'm wondering if others do this. Once my mask and machine are on, I place my fingertip very briefly over the exhaust hole (I cover it) and then release my finger to "snap" the flexible part of the anti-asphyxia valve into place and stop any small leaks around it.

Even when I was very active on the forum, I don't recall ever seeing a post about this. It's something I do as a matter of course in my nightly routine. Is it just me, or do others do this, too? Just curious.

[LSAT]

I've never done this with my Quattro.....Purpose???

[Wulfman...]

Me either. No "flexible" parts on the exhaust vent or anti-asphyxiation valve on my Ultra Mirage FF.


Den

.

[Bama Rambler]

I thought that I was the only one that did that!

I do it especially after I clean and reassemble it.

[BleepingBeauty]

I've never done this with my Quattro.....Purpose???

As I stated in the OP, it's to make sure the flexible part snaps into place (so it's flush against the anti-asphyxia hole in the elbow) and to stop any leaks I might experience around the flexible "tongue" if it's not making a good seal.

Me either. No "flexible" parts on the exhaust vent or anti-asphyxiation valve on my Ultra Mirage FF.


Den

.

Seriously? On the inside of the elbow? The valve, itself, is what I think of as the flexible "tongue" inside the elbow. I think it's been present on every FFM I've ever tried, but I no longer have an old UM to look at. Been using the Hybrid for several years now, but I still have some older FFMs tucked away, and they all have some kind of flexible valve inside. The middle piece in this pic is what I'm referring to:



Just FYI, I'm not covering the exhaust holes on the mask (above the elbow) at all; just the hole *on* the elbow that is related to the anti-asphyxiation valve (and only for a fraction of a second).

I thought that I was the only one that did that!

I do it especially after I clean and reassemble it.

Yay, a comrade! I tried to explain this to someone once (over the phone) who was attempting to use the Hybrid, and they just didn't get what I was doing or why. I'm glad you get it and do it, too.

[mgaggie]

Nope, never done that

[Kennerly]

My Three Reactions:

Second Reaction:
Guilt. (Cause I've never done this.)

Third Reaction:
Pat on back. (For great time management cause I'm saving time by not cleaning AND by not doing this.)

Initial Reaction:
"Masks come apart?"

[Wulfman...]

I've never done this with my Quattro.....Purpose???

As I stated in the OP, it's to make sure the flexible part snaps into place (so it's flush against the anti-asphyxia hole in the elbow) and to stop any leaks I might experience around the flexible "tongue" if it's not making a good seal.

Me either. No "flexible" parts on the exhaust vent or anti-asphyxiation valve on my Ultra Mirage FF.


Den

.

Seriously? On the inside of the elbow? The valve, itself, is what I think of as the flexible "tongue" inside the elbow. I think it's been present on every FFM I've ever tried, but I no longer have an old UM to look at. Been using the Hybrid for several years now, but I still have some older FFMs tucked away, and they all have some kind of flexible valve inside. The middle piece in this pic is what I'm referring to:



Just FYI, I'm not covering the exhaust holes on the mask (above the elbow) at all; just the hole *on* the elbow that is related to the anti-asphyxiation valve (and only for a fraction of a second).

I thought that I was the only one that did that!

I do it especially after I clean and reassemble it.

Yay, a comrade! I tried to explain this to someone once (over the phone) who was attempting to use the Hybrid, and they just didn't get what I was doing or why. I'm glad you get it and do it, too.

That's not the anti-asphyxiation assembly of the Ultra Mirage Full Face. In mine, it's a "membrane" and not a "flapper". The Quattro has a "flapper" valve, but not the UMFF. I just checked my Quattro and it looks like the one pictured.


Den

.

[BleepingBeauty]

Initial Reaction:
"Masks come apart?"

I'm bad about cleaning at this point in my therapy (6.5 years on the hose). I used to wash everything every week; now, I use wipes more than soap. The cushions tend to last me a good amount of time, so I guess what I'm doing is working for me.

That's not the anti-asphyxiation assembly of the Ultra Mirage Full Face. In mine, it's a "membrane" and not a "flapper". The Quattro has a "flapper" valve, but not the UMFF. I just checked my Quattro and it looks like the one pictured.


Den

.

Hmm. Well, as I said, I don't have one to look at. But I don't understand how it works if it's fixed in place.

[BlackSpinner]

I do that a lot with my hybrid. I didn't with my old one because it seemed to be better at closing.

[BleepingBeauty]

I do that a lot with my hybrid. I didn't with my old one because it seemed to be better at closing.

Hi, Lena. Glad to know there are at least a few of us who do this, and it's not just me.

I suppose, since the valve is a flexible part of the mask, it can be more prone to not seating correctly (completely closing off the anti-asphyxia hole in the elbow of the mask when the machine is running). I've done this little procedure for years, and I've never noticed a difference between one mask and another. I just do it as a matter of course.

[Denial Dave]

I started doing this about 6 months ago... right after I had issues with that little flapper failing & needing to be replaced.

Now it's standard procedure for me every night.

[deuelpm]

Yup! I do that too with the Inomed Hybrid FFM. A must-do trick for silencing that little hiss.

[Sir NoddinOff]

My Quattro FX is getting on in age... I'll try that trick tonight.