Question for Airfit P10 Users

I've been on CPAP for almost 2 weeks now. Perhaps the biggest challenge I'm facing is adjusting comfortably to the back pressure when exhaling. EPR is set to the easiest 3 so that's not the issue. It has gotten much easier to tolerate, but it's still impacting my therapy.

What I've found is that if I hold the mask exactly where shown in the picture, and tug it away from my nose just slightly, so that it's not compressing against me so tightly, the seal remains perfect, air flows even better on inhale, and suddenly exhaling becomes so easy it's almost effortless. If that's how it felt all the time it would be close to a perfect mask experience. But as soon as I let go and it's compressing more towards my nose due to the pull of the straps, air does not flow as smoothly in either direction. Questions:

1. Is that (when I tug on it) how it's supposed to feel, but due to the anatomy of my nose or the size of my head doesn't when I let go? Or does it work like this for everyone?

2. Is there anything I can do to achieve what happens when I tug on it? Obviously I can't tug on it all night!

FWIW I'm using the large insert and am positive that's the best size for me of the 3 sizes, so that's not the issue. I really like this mask overall, if I could get it to work like it does when I'm tugging on it, it would have an immensely positive affect on my therapy.


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Thank You

It sounds as if the pillow is just a bit too tight. Unfortunately the P10 doesn't have much adjustability in the strap. I have the same issue where the headstrap is too tight. I just pull and stretch it out as much as possible beforehand and that works well. You might have to come up with a DYI fix of some sort to make the strap fit better but there are other Pillow masks out there that have adjustable straps, even by the same company as the P10, so I would look into those.

See if fiddling with the 2 straps on the headgear (alter strap placement either closer or further apart) will loosen things just a bit or change the angle just a bit.
I agree in that it sounds like the headgear is just a little too snug and it's compressing the pillow just a little.
The headgear will stretch with time and use and you could maybe speed it up a little with stretching it more (like over a pillow or soccer ball or something).

Try moving the top strap forward toward your forehead and the bottom strap down toward the back of your neck. That, in theory, should loosen the fit. Though you are sure large is the correct size, it might not hurt to try the medium again.

I agree with Jay on this one. Separating the straps, loosens the fit on the P10. You should be able to avoid collapsing the pillows by doing this. As the headset ages, you will probably close the gap to keep the same fit. Some people complain about a lack of adjustment on this mask, but for me it works very simply and very well.

I am a P10 user and I agree with the last 2 posts. I had the same problem until I moved the top strap forward toward the top of my head and the back strap down towards my neck.

Thanks all. I've experimented with the straps before, I'll do some more experimenting based on the advice here.

If indeed the straps are too tight (and it sounds like they may be form your description), you could try cutting the strap equi-distant from bopth ends and sewing a SMALL piece of fabric in each of the split parts of the strap. This will give you some additional length to the strap and may help. Don't over-do it, start with a very small length. As others have noted, the strap stretches out over time. You might want to hang on to your old one when you get a new mask, or even trade someone here your new one for their old one.

Taking a contrarian view here, I've given the AirFit P10 plenty of chances to work for me *smile*. However, I never got the headgear to work right. I would separate the straps so that the nasal pillows were comfortable before I went to sleep, and during the night they re-adjusted themselves back to their default position, and it was too tight when I woke up. And too much tendency to leak for me, the leaks woke me up...yes, I was using the right size pillows for me, I tried all the pillow sizes to be sure. I wanted this one to work because of the light weight and quietness of it.

So I went back to the Swift FX, since I can adjust the headgear, and it stays adjusted. Don't like the noise from the vent air stream hitting blankets, etc., and weight of it, but I can easily adjust it for minimal leaks, and it stays that way. So I end up getting a better nights sleep, which is what it's all about for me.

If you can get the AirFit headgear to work for you, and get the leaks minimized, then go for it, great mask. However, if you don't, there are other alternatives out there that can work better for you.