Air coming from exhalation vent - normal?

I just took delivery of my new CPAP machine today. The person I was working with recommended I try out the ResMed Swift FX nasal pillows, and I love the fit and small size. However, as I was testing things out beside my bed I noticed a constant flow of air out of the exhalation vent. I don't recall this behaviour with the mask I used at the clinic.

So here's the question: is a constant flow of air from the exhalation vent normal or do I potentially have a defective mask?

Just to round out the details:
Machine: ResMed S9 Elite
Pressure: 5 (low, I know)

And a belated thanks to all who have contributed, doing research here before the purchase was incredibly helpful!

-Pete

Yes, there is supposed to be a steady stream of air coming from the exhalation vent. They are in different locations on different masks, so that could account for it seeming unlike the one used in your study. What mask did you use in your study?

I tried several different nasal masks in the clinic, not sure which was the final to be honest.

It was a bit of a battle between me and the clinician, as I kept rolling on to my side causing the mask(s) to leak. He wanted me to sleep on my back so that he could make the appropriate settings for the next year. I told him that I sleep on my side, so he'd better figure out a way to ensure that the next year is calibrated for the way I sleep instead of the way he wishes I slept. I won that battle.

Anyways, that's the short version of why I don't know which mask I used at the clinic. Thanks very much for your reply, that will help me go into my first night knowing that it's working as expected.

-Pete

Yes, all masks have that constant airflow. It can be annoying because it's pretty cold air coming from there, but I'm looking forward to it being a sort of "personal air conditioner" when the weather heats up. IF it ever heats up--we're wearing sweaters and turning up the heat today in Northern California. It's in the 50's--Sheesh!

Anyway, I sleep on my side too, and I wrap my top arm in the blanket so it doesn't get too cold from the airflow. Other masks direct the flow up instead of directly in front, and that's a bit nicer. But otherwise the Swifts are great masks.

in the 50s would have been nice. we cancelled our camping weekend because of snow.

yes the vent is normal on the swift FX. if you find a position where its not blowing on anything the noise goes away.