Amara Respironics exhalation port being blocked by flapper

So I received an amara respironics full face mask from my rehab facility. The problem I am having is with the flapper in the entrainment valve. When the machine is on and air is flowing the flapper covers the exhalation port and it is very difficult to breath out. Has anyone had this problem?

The flapper is part of the anti-asphyxia valve.
Airflow from the machine closes it, as it is supposed to do.
The valve is only open when the machine is OFF.
This is so you can breathe during a power outage.
Exhaust from your breath passes out through smaller holes elsewhere on your mask.
They seem small, but it has been thoroughly tested.
Unless the little holes are plugged or covered, everything is fine.
If you have doubts, show it to your DME.

If you can't exhale well, you should look at your setting for Exhale Pressure Relief (EPR) as most machines have a version of it (also called A- or C-flex in some), and if it's not turned on, do so and see if it helps.

splash07s wrote:So I received an amara respironics full face mask from my rehab facility. The problem I am having is with the flapper in the entrainment valve. When the machine is on and air is flowing the flapper covers the exhalation port and it is very difficult to breath out. Has anyone had this problem?

On the Amara mask, the entrainment valve is immediately below the exhalation port.
The entrainment valve is normally closed when in use and the blower is on. Take a look at figures 2a and 2b in the owner's manual.

The exhalation port is always open.
Neither should be blocked externally when using the mask.

Now, if the flapper valve is rotating enough or displaced enough to swivel up and block the exhalation port, the mask is defective and should be replaced. In the diagram in the user manual, the flapper valve normally is raised but not enough to cover the exhalation port.