New to the hose head club

[Bama Ryan]

I've had my Resmed S9 machine and humidifier for less than a week. Last night was only my 4th night with it not counting my time in the sleep clinic. I seem to be adjusting okay (considering I've got a full-face mask and sleeping with that thing is a pain) but I have a couple of questions.

1. Can any of you more experienced users give me some advise on how to handle the air hose? I rolled over and my hose must've hit my alarm clock knocking it off my night stand. Any ideas here?

2. My mask -- it's a resmed mirage quattro full face -- I'm having some issues getting it adjusted and comfortable. I know the rubber gasket needs to seal around my face to make sure I'm not leaking air but how tight does the mask need to be fitted? i know there's a happy medium but it's crazy annoying!

Also if there's a power outage do any of y'all know if the machine will automatically turn back on or would it have to be manually turned back on?

[chunkyfrog]

So we can better help you, you are invited to fill out your equipment in the profile--most prefer text rather than pictures.
FYI, you have 30 days to exchange a mask that doesn't fit for one that does. Most DME's will not volunteer this information.
I found the Quattro to be a poor fit, and am wearing a gel mask (see my equipment at the bottom of this post)
Hose management can be home-made, or purchased from many online suppliers, including our host site, cpap.com.

[Janknitz]

Welcome Ryan,

Please take a moment to fill out your equipment settings. We can answer your questions better if we know WHICH S9 machine you have.

1. Can any of you more experienced users give me some advise on how to handle the air hose? I rolled over and my hose must've hit my alarm clock knocking it off my night stand. Any ideas here?
Search online suppliers for a hose hanger. You can buy one, make your own, or just hang your hose over your headboard if you have one.

2. My mask -- it's a resmed mirage quattro full face -- I'm having some issues getting it adjusted and comfortable. I know the rubber gasket needs to seal around my face to make sure I'm not leaking air but how tight does the mask need to be fitted? i know there's a happy medium but it's crazy annoying!
In my signature below is a link to my blog post called "Taming the Mirage Quattro". Give that a read. You may also wish to invest in a mask liner and anti-leak strap from Padacheek.com. Both will increase your comfort.

Also if there's a power outage do any of y'all know if the machine will automatically turn back on or would it have to be manually turned back on?
Your machine should have a setting for automatic on. If you put this on, then the machine will turn itself back on when you put on the mask or when the electricity turns back on. The Quattro has an anti-asphyxia valve so that you won't suffocate when the electricity goes off, BTW. It's that silicone flap in the elbow. Check it out--it's comforting to know it's there. We recommend you do not set the automatic off, however, because if you are leaking too much or breathing is really shallow, your machine may turn itself off.

[TalonNYC]

Hose Hangers are also called Hose Lifter systems, and they're usually collapsible for travel. Definitely worth the 20-40 bucks!

[scottjf8]

I use the snugglehose, it makes the hose comfy to lie next to (it's a fleece cover.) So worth it.

Also padacheek.

If you must use a FFM, try the FX.. I had the Mirage Q and it hurt my nose and leaked a lot... the FX is much lighter and doesn't have the forehead piece or the knobbie thing.

[RomeinDNVR]

I am in the same boat you are Ryan, just started CPAP on Friday.

I ordered the hose snuggie and strap pads right away on Saturday morning, I have heard a lot of great things about them.

Hope you are able to figure out your mask fit!

Rome

[Sheriff Buford]

I have the Hose Buddy. Works great and I wish I had ordered it earlier. I also had issues with hose-management while I was seepy.

The S9 will have to manually be turned back on. I experienced a power failure a few weeks back. I had to remove my mask. Dose off until the power came back on, donn the mask and manually turn on the cpap machine.

You need to try to adjust your mask correctly. Or... start shopping for a different brand.

Sheriff

[TalonNYC]

Forgot to mention, you can get a UPS with a power alarm from Amazon and lots of other places. They'll power the thing for up to an hour if the power goes out, and bleep at you to wake you up in many cases.

[BrandonB]

Tonight is my first night with the unit, so take this with a grain of salt.

But my DME said she was doing this for years and recommended I put my S9 on the nightstand next to me or even on the floor and then feed the tube up between the headboard and bed so that it's coming up over my head. She said that will help me avoid tangling it like I did in the study. At the moment, I have it on the nightstand coming over the top of the headboard. Will try them both to see which method works better for me.

Food for thought!
Brandon