Mask Issue: Help! Crumbling Foam Insert.

CPAPNAP · Post by **CPAPNAP** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 4:59 pm

I am very concerned to find the grey foam insert inside my Fisher Paykel HC405 crumbling. Not only that, but it has resulted in a few little grey crumbs loose inside my mask. Doing the math...Grey foam crumbs+positive air pressure hooked to my nose=little foam pieces in my lungs. Please tell me this is not happening. Damn. It is Friday evening and I am stuck hooking my self up to a crumby mask that might blow particles of foam into my lungs all weekend. Advice, thoughts, experience?

ahujudybear · Post by **ahujudybear** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 5:04 pm

If it's crumbling, makes sense to me not to use it!

Could you find a strip of some fabric that you could roll up and insert, just for the weekend?

Doesn't your DME have an emergency ##?

Try your local hospital or Urgent Care.

Crumbling foam is not a good thing to be breathing.

- JB

_PS... Might I ask how old this mask is??
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john5757B · Post by **john5757B** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 5:13 pm

As you found mask using the foam idea is not practical in the long run. From what I have heard you can not put the foam under water to wash it you have to wipe the foam pad to make it last longer. How old is the mask? I have two other masks as backups. Maybe you can put a plastic wrap around the piece since it is not touching the skin.

ahujudybear · Post by **ahujudybear** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 5:22 pm

Oh! Great idea, John!

Wrap the foam insert in plastic wrap!!!

How old is your mask CPAPNAP? I've only had mine for about a month, so my foam insert is still just like new. But I'm wondering if I should have extras for back-up?

And John is right about the water. I was told to never get that foam thing wet (other than night time condensation). I remove it before washing the rest of the mask.

- JB

CPAPNAP · Post by **CPAPNAP** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 6:33 pm

Thank you for the great ideas! My mask is only 6 months old. I don't even get the foam insert wet when I wash my mask and hose---I remove and replace it. I will use your awesome ideas even though I am embarrassed that I did not think of them myself

And yes---I sure have learned and advise everyone to have a backup mask!

Janelle · Post by **Janelle** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 8:45 am

Most insurance companies will pay for a new mask every 3-6 months. That is considered the average lifetime of a mask. But you can look online and see if you can order just that replacement foam insert part by itself or the mask without the headgear, assuming the headgear is still in good condition.

Mask Issue: Help! Crumbling Foam Insert.

Mask Issue: Help! Crumbling Foam Insert.

Great Ideas! Thank you