Resmed P10 masks venting sucks

[chris94546]

I am not convinced that rebreathing of CO2 is not occuring with the Resmed P10 mask. I have been using the Resmed P10 mask and it has a terrible venting system. It utilizes a fine meshed panel to expell CO2. Problem is those holes are easily occluded if not cleaned regularly. However, more concerning is that if you experience any rainout (which most people do), that water/moisture will clog the venting holes. I have noted waking up with a film of water over the mesh resulting in almost no venting. Terrible design! If you think this isn't an issue, read this conclusion for a recent study in Science Direct. While they conclude rebreating of CO2 was not a large problem with the P10 mask, I would counter by saying I'm sure they used the mask under ideal conditions, that being with it being new and with no rainout. When rainout occurs, mask venting is essentially almost eliminated. ----------------------------Technological advancements in recent years have partly mitigated some of the challenges that traditionally hindered CPAP adherence [[17], [18], [19]]. Despite these improvements, the issue of CO2 rebreathing remains a concern. In fact, the complete clinical implications of CO2 rebreathing are not fully understood, and there is a notable absence of technological developments aimed at preventing or minimizing this phenomenon. Therefore, in an effort to elucidate the risk factors and the frequency of rebreathing in current clinical practice, we sought to examine the performance of several CPAP masks at different PAPs, tidal volumes and respiratory rates on CO2 retention rates. We also elaborated a mathematical model to characterize the mask-specific risk of rebreathing for given PAPs, tidal volumes and respiratory rates.

[Pugsy]

Well......I am going to respectfully disagree with pretty much everything you said.
What you said can happen but it isn't set in stone that it will happen to everyone.

I have never had the P10 vent holes get plugged up and I have had tons of rain out to deal with since I use max humidity setting.
Plus I used the P10 for months and months and months and never thought about washing out those vent holes....because I have never had them clog up.

[Dog Slobber]

Here is the actual study, which the OP has neglected to link to:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/a ... 5724002685

I'm guessing the OP has neglected to link to the actual study because he has quote mined it to the point of dishonesty.

The OP claims that the P10 venting sucks, yet it is listed as one of the better performing masks regarding venting.

Results

Overall, all masks performed worse in situations characterized by low PAPs, high tidal volumes, and high respiratory rates. However, Dreamwear, Nuance, Siesta, Vitera, and particularly V2 masks exhibited greater susceptibility to rebreathing compared to F20, P10, Brevida, and Rio masks for the same variations of PAPs or ventilatory parameters. The mathematical model suggested that the risk of rebreathing for Rio, P10 and Nuance mask is negligible for respiratory rates of 10 breaths/min or below.

[chris94546]

Here is the actual study, which the OP has neglected to link to:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/a ... 5724002685

I'm guessing the OP has neglected to link to the actual study because he has quote mined it to the point of dishonesty.

The OP claims that the P10 venting sucks, yet it is listed as one of the better performing masks regarding venting.

Results

Overall, all masks performed worse in situations characterized by low PAPs, high tidal volumes, and high respiratory rates. However, Dreamwear, Nuance, Siesta, Vitera, and particularly V2 masks exhibited greater susceptibility to rebreathing compared to F20, P10, Brevida, and Rio masks for the same variations of PAPs or ventilatory parameters. The mathematical model suggested that the risk of rebreathing for Rio, P10 and Nuance mask is negligible for respiratory rates of 10 breaths/min or below.

I am not trying to hide the results of the study at all. Perhaps you did not read my response carefully enough. I clearly stated that I believe the study tested the P10 under ideal conditions, that being new and unaffected by rainout. Any moisture in my experience, leads to nearly total occlusion of the vent holes.

[chris94546]

Well......I am going to respectfully disagree with pretty much everything you said.
What you said can happen but it isn't set in stone that it will happen to everyone.

I have never had the P10 vent holes get plugged up and I have had tons of rain out to deal with since I use max humidity setting.
Plus I used the P10 for months and months and months and never thought about washing out those vent holes....because I have never had them clog up.

How are you evaluating whether or not you are getting any occlusion of the venting mesh?

[chris94546]

Here is the actual study, which the OP has neglected to link to:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/a ... 5724002685

I'm guessing the OP has neglected to link to the actual study because he has quote mined it to the point of dishonesty.

The OP claims that the P10 venting sucks, yet it is listed as one of the better performing masks regarding venting.

Results

Overall, all masks performed worse in situations characterized by low PAPs, high tidal volumes, and high respiratory rates. However, Dreamwear, Nuance, Siesta, Vitera, and particularly V2 masks exhibited greater susceptibility to rebreathing compared to F20, P10, Brevida, and Rio masks for the same variations of PAPs or ventilatory parameters. The mathematical model suggested that the risk of rebreathing for Rio, P10 and Nuance mask is negligible for respiratory rates of 10 breaths/min or below.

Studies on the ResMed AirFit P10, such as the one reporting 40 minutes more sleep per night, often highlight it in ideal, new-condition scenarios (whitepaper, 2014, 2024). However, real-world reports, including FDA MAUDE database entries, indicate that the P10's mesh venting system can become obstructed in colder, high-humidity environments, a condition known as "rainout" (AccessData FDA, 2026; MAUDE, 2025).
Key Findings on P10 Performance and Limitations:
Ideal vs. Real Conditions: While clinical studies often test new masks under optimal, controlled conditions, users have reported that the woven-mesh vents (QuietAir) can become obstructed when condensation forms within the tube (rainout).
Rainout and CO2 Accumulation: In colder weather, moisture can build up and close the vents, which some users reported led to a sensation of not being able to breathe or waking with a suffocating feeling (dyspnea).
Venting Obstruction: When the mesh vents become obstructed due to rainout, especially if the mask is not brand new (e.g., has some dust buildup), it can restrict proper airflow.
Mitigation Strategies: ResMed recommends using a heated tube (ClimateLineAir) to keep the air temperature consistent and avoid the condensation that leads to rainout. Other solutions include reducing humidifier settings or using a mask-side tube cover.
Longevity Issues: Some users noted that the P10 performance declines over time, with the mesh vents becoming harder to clean, and that the mask performs much better when new.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (.gov)
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (.gov)
+6
While the P10 is highly rated for comfort, quietness, and its lightweight design, its vent design makes it vulnerable to condensation-related issues in cold or high-humidity, unheated environments.
This per a Google AI prompt of the subject ..............................

[Pugsy]

Well......I am going to respectfully disagree with pretty much everything you said.
What you said can happen but it isn't set in stone that it will happen to everyone.

I have never had the P10 vent holes get plugged up and I have had tons of rain out to deal with since I use max humidity setting.
Plus I used the P10 for months and months and months and never thought about washing out those vent holes....because I have never had them clog up.

How are you evaluating whether or not you are getting any occlusion of the venting mesh?

If I can move air through the mask without the machine being on.....those vent holes are open. I have never not been able to move air even if the machine isn't on. I used the P10 for years and years and years before changing to the Eclipse and never bothered cleaning the vents holes because they simply didn't need cleaning because they never clogged up.

Again I repeat....just because something can happen doesn't mean it will happen to everyone using that mask.

[chris94546]

Well......I am going to respectfully disagree with pretty much everything you said.
What you said can happen but it isn't set in stone that it will happen to everyone.

I have never had the P10 vent holes get plugged up and I have had tons of rain out to deal with since I use max humidity setting.
Plus I used the P10 for months and months and months and never thought about washing out those vent holes....because I have never had them clog up.

How are you evaluating whether or not you are getting any occlusion of the venting mesh?

If I can move air through the mask without the machine being on.....those vent holes are open. I have never not been able to move air even if the machine isn't on. I used the P10 for years and years and years before changing to the Eclipse and never bothered cleaning the vents holes because they simply didn't need cleaning because they never clogged up.

Again I repeat....just because something can happen doesn't mean it will happen to everyone using that mask.

I never said it would happen to everyone. Did you read all my posts with attachments from studies. It is clear to me that the P10 is prone to having the vent holes get clogged, which can represent a risk of CO2 being rebreathed. I am trying to evaluate all the data available as objectively as I can, and I conclude there is some legimate concern to be had. Just trying to alert others of this potential risk and to be aware of it.

[Nocibur]

William Noah of V-Com fame did this study.

I wonder what happens to rebreathing if you further reduce flow with his V-Com device...

[Pugsy]

Did you read all my posts with attachments from studies.

I did read your posts but will admit to skimming over your obviously edited snippets of what a study might have said.
Since you didn't bother with links to the studies I don't really pay much attention when it's obvious that someone cherry picked from studies.

Hey...if you are scared of the P10...just don't use it Fairly simple.

BTW I do know of one person who had the vent holes clog up.....but he admits to using the P10 for probably a year without cleaning out the vent holes because he is like me and doesn't wash the mask very often at all. That was recently and he has been using the P10 for years (since it was first released Jan 2014) and this most recent clogging up was the first time it has ever happened.
It's not nearly as common of a problem as you want to make it out to be.

Again...if you are scared of the P10 just use some other mask.

[Nocibur]

And the link doesn't show the results (without shelling out some $$$).

Too bad I don't have my Magic Library Card anymore...

[chris94546]

Did you read all my posts with attachments from studies.

I did read your posts but will admit to skimming over your obviously edited snippets of what a study might have said.
Since you didn't bother with links to the studies I don't really pay much attention when it's obvious that someone cherry picked from studies.

Hey...if you are scared of the P10...just don't use it Fairly simple.

BTW I do know of one person who had the vent holes clog up.....but he admits to using the P10 for probably a year without cleaning out the vent holes because he is like me and doesn't wash the mask very often at all. That was recently and he has been using the P10 for years (since it was first released Jan 2014) and this most recent clogging up was the first time it has ever happened.
It's not nearly as common of a problem as you want to make it out to be.

Again...if you are scared of the P10 just use some other mask.

I posted this as a response to another thread, but think this applies here. Also, wasn't cherry picking, as I made it clear that I thought original conclussions on P10 were misleading as they were under ideal test conditions (new, dry unit). Anyway, please read below (question i posed to Goodle AI in non-leading tone) ------ I am not trying to shove my opinion down anyones throat (just my opinion). However, I ask that you carefully read the results of my Google AI inquiry on the subject. I realize there is no absolutly conclusive study that says, yes you with suffocate to death, but there is a lot of information that may suggest significant caution and vigilance should be used when using this mask. .......................

"Are there any clinical or scientific studies supporting this"

While there is no single published clinical trial specifically dedicated to the "aging" of the ResMed P10 vent mesh, there is significant scientific data from FDA adverse event reports, comparative rebreathing studies, and manufacturer-led research that supports the mechanism of this issue.
1. FDA MAUDE Database Reports
The most direct "clinical" evidence comes from the FDA’s MAUDE (Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience) database. These are formal reports of medical device malfunctions:
Documented Obstruction: Reports state the P10 "recurrently becomes obstructed under rainout conditions".
Mechanism of Failure: Reports explicitly link the issue to "dust deposits within the interstices of the webbed vents" that, when combined with condensation, lead to "significantly elevated levels of inhaled CO2".
Reported Symptoms: Clinical symptoms reported to the FDA include abrupt onset of dyspnea (shortness of breath), nausea, and suffocating feelings.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (.gov)
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (.gov)
+2
2. Comparative Rebreathing Studies
A 2024 study published in Sleep and Breathing (and indexed on PubMed) modeled CO2 rebreathing across several masks:
Performance Baseline: The study found that while the P10 has a "negligible" risk of rebreathing at normal respiratory rates (10 breaths/min or below) when functioning as designed, it—like all masks—is sensitive to "circuit-dependent CO2 rebreathing".
Exhalation Resistance: General research on CPAP systems confirms that when exhalation ports exhibit high resistance (as they would if clogged), it results in "considerable rebreathing" of exhaled gases.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) | (.gov)
National Institutes of Health (NIH) | (.gov)
+2
3. Manufacturer Research and Guidance
ResMed’s own technical data and white papers implicitly acknowledge the necessity of maintaining these specific vents:
Study Data: ResMed research shows the P10 is significantly quieter (21 dBA) than its predecessors due to the QuietAir woven-mesh venting.
Maintenance Mandate: Because of the fine nature of this mesh, ResMed’s official cleaning instructions specify using a soft bristle brush to clean the vent. This specialized instruction is a direct response to the mesh’s tendency to trap particles that larger, traditional vent holes would not.
Resmed
Resmed
+3
4. Independent Technical Observations
Independent users and forums have used microscopy to examine these vents:
Microscopic Evidence: Some users have posted photographic evidence on enthusiast boards showing that the mesh can be partially obstructed by "dust deposits" or mineral buildup from water, even when it appears clean to the naked eye.
Reddit
Reddit
If you'd like to investigate further, I can:
Help you find official cleaning videos for this specific mask.
Compare the venting design of the P10 vs. the newer AirFit P30i.
Provide a list of replacement schedules recommended by insurance vs. the manufacturer.
Top

[Pugsy]

Stop trying to get me to agree with you....it's NOT going to happen and after this duplicate post above (you copied from that other thread) I may not read anything you bother to write (you may make it to my Foe list just because you are annoying me with your arguing). Last warning about duplicate posts....they are treated like spam and get deleted. Don't do them or I will remove the duplicate.

BTW....I don't rely on AI at all without verifiable links to the real studies. So I don't really care what AI said.

[chris94546]

Stop trying to get me to agree with you....it's NOT going to happen and after this duplicate post above (you copied from that other thread) I may not read anything you bother to write (you may make it to my Foe list just because you are annoying me with your arguing). Last warning about duplicate posts....they are treated like spam and get deleted. Don't do them or I will remove the duplicate.

BTW....I don't rely on AI at all without verifiable links to the real studies. So I don't really care what AI said.

OK. My thoughts on you and your response, you are a close minded individual who does not want his mind changed. You just block out information you do not agree with, without given it any reasonable consideration. AI is as useful as you make it. It provides references to studies which you can take to the time to evaluate yourself. I don't like it when people are so set in their camps, that they are not even willing to weigh conflicting evidence. As far as deleting my duplicate post or threats of banning me, that is a really petty threat and an act by a person who doesn't even want to be challenged.

[Pugsy]

Stop trying to get me to agree with you....it's NOT going to happen and after this duplicate post above (you copied from that other thread) I may not read anything you bother to write (you may make it to my Foe list just because you are annoying me with your arguing). Last warning about duplicate posts....they are treated like spam and get deleted. Don't do them or I will remove the duplicate.

BTW....I don't rely on AI at all without verifiable links to the real studies. So I don't really care what AI said.

OK. My thoughts on you and your response, you are a close minded individual who does not want his mind changed. You just block out information you do not agree with, without given it any reasonable consideration. AI is as useful as you make it. It provides references to studies which you can take to the time to evaluate yourself. I don't like it when people are so set in their camps, that they are not even willing to weigh conflicting evidence. As far as deleting my duplicate post or threats of banning me, that is a really petty threat and an act by a person who doesn't even want to be challenged.

BTW I am a she and not a he and I am entitled to my opinion just like you are entitled to yours....so if you are going to get snotty you should at least get your facts right about me.

This thread has devolved into name calling and personal slurs....

you are a close minded individual who does not want his mind changed. You just block out information you do not agree with, without given it any reasonable consideration.

Any potential educational value has long ago disappeared.

Any more crap and this thread will be locked and any further discussion and name calling will get removed and there's a good chance if you repost your thoughts again.... then that post will be removed as soon as I see it.

You stated your opinion...mine differs and won't change just because you think it's your job in life to change my mind.
No one ever said that I had to agree with everything that gets said here just because you don't like it that I won't agree with you.