Two new-to-cpap type questions

Hi,

My questions are:

1) I have an Activa mask. I've found that when I wash it, there is always some residual water in the mask by bedtime. What is the best way to wash and dry the mask? Do I need to disassemble it every morning?

2) Does anyone have a good strategy for making the machine (AutoSet Spirit) quieter? My wife is having trouble getting used to the Darth Vader sounds.

Rob

Spiritus wrote:1) I have an Activa mask. I've found that when I wash it, there is always some residual water in the mask by bedtime. What is the best way to wash and dry the mask? Do I need to disassemble it every morning?

I don't have that mask, but I do have the problem of water still being there when it's time for bed. I've done a couple of things to deal with it:
1. a couple of times during the day I shake it over the sink, and then put it down in a different position than it had been
2. at bedtime, I use a Q-Tip to soak up any water that's left

Between those two rituals, I'm able to go to bed with a dry mask.

I never disassemble any of my masks to clean them. I just have a feeling they'd bemore apt to leak over time if taken apart for cleaning. Too much chance on their never fitting back together quite as well as they did to start with.

I think a quick rinse in the morning just with water is good enough for most people/most masks. If one has oily skin, of course a bit of gentle cleaning (not scrubbing!) with mild soap and water where the cushion touches the face would be a good idea. Perhaps I'm too casual about it, but I believe we can go overboard about "cleaning" something "according to instructions" - things that really hardly get dirty anyway. My mask cushions and nasal pillows stay clean and supple with minimal cleaning - usually just a light swipe or two with a damp cloth or very soft paper towel.

Rob, I've noticed that when I rinse out the Activa, it's almost impossible to get every drop of water out of every nook and cranny. As long as most of it's out of there, I don't worry about it. Dabbing at it gently with a soft kleenex can sop up most of the little bit that's left. Being careful, of course, not to leave any pieces of kleenex or fibers from any kind of cloth in there. If there isn't much water in it, I don't bother to try to get it all.

Place the spirit on something soft to deaden the sound. I had my Spirit on a built in desk near the bed and it worked like a speaker . I put it o the floor and no more problem.. I did visit my uncle in Wales. The hard floor made it resonate thru the house. Thats why they call it Resmed. Cause it RES onates....LOL..........I put a pillow over it ..just dont cover up the inlet...
It sounds like the "Darth Vader" sound is from the mask.. DO you use a full face mask ? My spirit is quiet with a resmed nasal mask. Be sure to put the caps over the vent holes ...

Cheers,

Chris