Airtouch/Airfit F20 relief holes

[Marcusstephen]

I just noticed in my new airtouch attachment
that I couldn’t feel any relief (air) from the mask or the elbow and i think it explains why i’ve been waking feeling
not up to par since using it. I’m thinking that it’s likely i’m retaining too much carbon dioxide. I drilled a series of tiny holes either side of the disposable airtouch and it made therapy feel much more comfortable. I drilled 3 holes either side using the smallest drill bit that comes in a drill set .
Hope this may help someone
any advice welcome

[LSAT]

There are about 20 holes to disburse your exhaled air. They are covered with a plastic cover to deflect the air so it doesn't blow in someone's face. This change was requested by many of the users. This is one of the most widely used full face masks. If there would be a problem with CO2 it would have been corrected. If you feel you have the found a way to make you breathe better...good for you.

[chunkyfrog]

Note: if the holes have become clogged with dirt, a water pic can clean them.
I would refrain from adding more holes myself, as my masks work fine.

[Marcusstephen]

Thanks for the replies
I couldn’t find any release of air anywhere on my mask
The only place with vents is in the elbow and air fails to release from there as the one way valves direct the air straight up to the mask. I would love to know where
the vent holes are that you see in your mask. I’ve been using various masks now for 20 yrs and this is the first time i’ve been unable to find vents releasing air from the mask.
Thanks again i’m very grateful for your help

[ozij]

Disconnect the elbow. Look carefully at where the elbow attaches to the mask. Look at it from the mask side.
The vent you're looking for is in the elbow.

Page 22 of the User Guide

The mask must be fitted with the supplied elbow (containing the
valve and vent assembly) to ensure safe and functional usage
unless otherwise specified.

The "vent assembly" is a ring of small holes through which exhaled air is diffused silently out of your mask.

[Marcusstephen]

Disconnect the elbow. Look carefully at where the elbow attaches to the mask. Look at it from the mask side.
The vent you're looking for is in the elbow.

Page 22 of the User Guide

The mask must be fitted with the supplied elbow (containing the
valve and vent assembly) to ensure safe and functional usage
unless otherwise specified.

The "vent assembly" is a ring of small holes through which exhaled air is diffused silently out of your mask.

Great thank you
fortunately i only drilled holes in the disposable
face cushion
Upon closer inspection i discovered a filter behind the vent holes which was blocking the release of air to some extent so i removed the filter . not as silent as before but therapy feels better
please see image or link
https://ibb.co/JdFyLGv

[Dog Slobber]

Upon closer inspection i discovered a filter behind the vent holes which was blocking the release of air to some extent so i removed the filter

It's not a filter. Why would a mask system be designed to filter air that is constantly flowing out, trapping particles in the system?

It's a diffuser. It's designed to diffuse the air, so it's quiet and doesn't form a stream that can blow on you or a bed partner.

not as silent as before

Expected result.

but therapy feels better

You have been conditioned to associate the noise and feel of non-diffused venting with the venting. You then moved to a silent (diffused) system with venting that isn't easy to feel and you believed the venting was nolonger happening.

It was just fine.

But if you're ok removing the diffusing material, no problem.

With the original diffused venting, if you put the back of your hand *very close* to the vent port, you can barely feel the vented gas, you can even feel a temperature difference between inhaling and exhaling.

[tyrinryan]

Mercus: Would you be able to tell us whether the "leak rate" (as shown in Oscar) went up after you drilled the holes?

[Marcusstephen]

Mercus: Would you be able to tell us whether the "leak rate" (as shown in Oscar) went up after you drilled the holes?

Just checking on the AS10 result and it’s showing
7L/min AHI 1.5 That’s with the noise suppressing material removed but no holes
i’ll try the other with drilled holes tomorrow

[Okie bipap]

If you hold your hand real close to the elbow, ypo can detect a small difference in the temperature. It will be warmer when you exhale and cooler when you inhale.

[Dzyan]

This diffuser directs a small stream of air into the eyes. I want to try it from the knee without a diffuser.

[Marcusstephen]

The dirty noise diffuser/filter definitely restricts the air as it was hugely more comfortable without the diffuser but noisy of course. I’ve reinstalled the diffuser and will try tonight with 3 small holes either side of the disposable airtouch .
AHI’s improved also without the noise diffuser for some reason unless a coincidence.

[Marcusstephen]

If you hold your hand real close to the elbow, ypo can detect a small difference in the temperature. It will be warmer when you exhale and cooler when you inhale.

that’s good to know

[tyrinryan]

Marcus: Where did you drill the holes--through the --plastic? Did you drill them at the bottom (over the lip)? or all around the opening? How many holes? 1/8" or 1/16" perhaps?-can you find out so we can calculate the area? What about the leak rate according to Oscar--did it go up. This is an interesting experiment; I think it would be helpful to get the data.

[Marcusstephen]

Yes no problem
The leak rate according to the AS10 was 7 litres per minute.
I ended up putting the noise filter back as it was too noisy without it. I tried with the 3 small holes drilled either side of the bridge of the nose but that also was too noisy . Now the interesting part is that the noise filter was partially clogged as per photo in my first post . I found after reinserting the noise filter material that i could once again feel that small volume of exhaust air coming from the elbow . I do believe that the noise filter became a dirt filter and prevented a reasonable volume of air from being directed away . I now use an Airtouch without the drilled holes and it’s very quiet and certainly more comfortable.
Hope that information is useful to someone.