almost killed myself with full face mask

the other day, I put full face mask on without turning on the machine, thinking that I can leave it for now and turn on the machine when I became really sleepy.

I forgot how long I lying in bed and all in a sudden I felt dizzy, I immediately remove the mask,and looked that oximeter, 56% oxygen saturation.

I realized I was breathing the same air over and over again with full face mask on without machine on. how stupid I was.

never ever put mask on without the machine on. and some machine have smart on/off, I would not trust a machine like that.

always do this:

1. turn on machine,
2. put mask on.

3. take mask off
4. turn off machine

I think most machines now are auto machines that will turn on when they sense that you are breathing, but your experience was worth sharing for newbies without auto machines. I generally turn mine on as soon as I turn the light off, but if I forget it will turn on anyway after a minute or so.

songhust wrote:the other day, I put full face mask on without turning on the machine, thinking that I can leave it for now and turn on the machine when I became really sleepy.

I forgot how long I lying in bed and all in a sudden I felt dizzy, I immediately remove the mask,and looked that oximeter, 56% oxygen saturation.

I realized I was breathing the same air over and over again with full face mask on without machine on. how stupid I was.

never ever put mask on without the machine on. and some machine have smart on/off, I would not trust a machine like that.

always do this:

1. turn on machine,
2. put mask on.

3. take mask off
4. turn off machine

If you turn on the machine first, you won't get a decent mask fit. It would be a disaster trying to get it sealed.
I've never turned on my machine BEFORE I've put my mask on (and I've always used a full face mask).
All the full face masks I know of have anti-asphyxiation valves in them so what you described SHOULDN'T happen.


Den

.

Full face masks have exhale vent, but YES the machine has to be on, it warns that in the Manuel and the package incerted info.

I have had power go off, it woke me up, don't know how long probably 5 min or so, wasn't funny but still not something you want to happen.

Not starting your XPAP is like pouring hot coffee on yourself. Jim

good point Wulfman. For me, it works either way. I have a flexible facial profile I guess,

Wulfman... wrote:

songhust wrote:the other day, I put full face mask on without turning on the machine, thinking that I can leave it for now and turn on the machine when I became really sleepy.

I forgot how long I lying in bed and all in a sudden I felt dizzy, I immediately remove the mask,and looked that oximeter, 56% oxygen saturation.

I realized I was breathing the same air over and over again with full face mask on without machine on. how stupid I was.

never ever put mask on without the machine on. and some machine have smart on/off, I would not trust a machine like that.

always do this:

1. turn on machine,
2. put mask on.

3. take mask off
4. turn off machine

If you turn on the machine first, you won't get a decent mask fit. It would be a disaster trying to get it sealed.
I've never turned on my machine BEFORE I've put my mask on (and I've always used a full face mask).
All the full face masks I know of have anti-asphyxiation valves in them so what you described SHOULDN'T happen.


Den

.

I also have never seen a mask without this "anti-asphyxiation valve" If you use the system and lose power during the night you will have a problem with any mask without one.

your mask has one, can see it in the picture. With a functioning unmodified mask this should not happen with the equipment you have.

The OP ("songhust") shows a ResMed Quattro mask in profile.
I also have one and have used it in the past, so I'm familiar with that mask.

In the parts list for that mask, there are several parts of the elbow that have the "Anti Asphyxia Valve" listed.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage-replac ... dgear.html

The "Anti Asphyxia Valve" is supposed to allow for normal breathing if the power goes off and should NOT asphyxiate the user.
I don't know how this happened in your case, but it should not have as you described.

I don't know why anyone would turn the "auto-start" option "off" in the setup, but that feature should always be "on" whenever possible. That way, if power does go out for a brief period, the user's breathing SHOULD restart the machine.
One related feature, in my opinion, should be turned off, too........and that is the "auto-off", which could possibly turn off the machine on a large leak. Personally, I want my machines to keep blowing air during a large leak.


Den

.

I know the masks have some kind of "anti-asphyxia" valves and the machine has an auto on feature but I always make sure my machine comes on right away or turn it on manually. I find breathing with a mask on before the machine comes on to be very strenuous for me and my machine doesn't always turn on automatically (I have breathing difficulties while awake as well so it is likely my own breathing patterns that cause these issues). I always put the mask on, watch for the machine to turn on and turn it on manually if necessary, and make any necessary adjustments to the mask to be sure I'm set for the night.

When I was still using the manual on/off, I accidentally fell asleep with the machine off.
I woke several hours later struggling to breathe.
Auto-on is so much nicer; but I turn it off manually to avoid the noise.

Our drive to breath is based almost entirely on our CO2 saturation. If you are rebreathing, your CO2 saturation will go up in proportion to your O2 saturation going doing. The normal physiological response to this is to initially increase your respiration rate, and then to induce a sense of panic. It is unlikely you would kill yourself in this situation as you would be unable to resist the urge to tear off your mask.

It is however, a situation to be avoided, as it could be a very quick path to CPAP induced insomnia. I hope you are OK now.

I use the Quattro...One night I got up about 3AM to use the bathroom...I always leave my mask on but disconnect the hose. When I returned to bed I connected the hose but neglected to turn on the machine. I didn't realize it until I got up at around 7. No problem...evidently the valve worked the way it should.

Living in a motor home for 12 years and staying in RV parks all over the country power outages happened once in while. I have a Mirage Quattro FF mask and have slept for several hours with my CPAP machine inoperable. The Anti Asphyxia Valve worked and I didn't even know my machine was not supplying air.
Sounds like you need a replacement valve.

Thanks for all the insight into the anti-asphyxiation valve. I tested on mine, with different breath pattern and positions. It appears that if I breath strong and deep, my exhale will flip up the valve, causing it block the air going out, and exhaled air will go into the tube instead, and my next inhale will get air from tube, the valve thus will continue to be flipped up, blocking fresh air outside.

but if I breathe slow and shallow, the valve will not be flipped up. the exhaled air will go out and fresh air will get in. this is a very interesting finding.

I have two masks with different sizes, both are only 3 months old. both appears to behave similarly. My breath strength appears to be the only factor here.

I need to talk to the mask supplier,

The anti-asphyxia valve should keep you from suffocating if you don't turn on the machine, but you'll rebreathe more stale air than without a mask. Of course, you have to add in whatever "native" apnea level you have.

On most masks, the valve doesn't block off the port going to the hose. It blocks the opening in the mask to the outside air if the machine is on, but when the air is off, both ports on the mask are open and some air will go back up the hose and come back when you inhale.

56% seems extreme. I wonder if that reading might have been a glitch.

Library lady, the auto-on function varies widely from machine to machine. I don't know whether most machines are set to do auto on as they are set up by the DME. You can usually choose whether or not to have auto-on.

Even if a strong breath flips the valve closed, it should open up on your next inhale.