Review of New F&P 432 FF Mask & Sizing Guide

Hi Rested Gal,

Yes, she had the small and that's why I'm totally annoyed at myself for not insisting that we open that box too.

At night, I found it so large on my face; I hated it. I felt it was much larger and roomier than the HC432.

Oh well, I warned them that I couldn't fit in an appointment to go back until Nov 2 because I'm on course so I'll have these 2 masks sitting in their boxes until then. Good thing my cold is gone so that I can actually breathe through my nose now. But I do want to have a FF mask for the next cold and other times when my nose decides to get congested.

Thanks.
France

I've just tried cpap.com's sizing guide for the UMFF. They tell me "Given your measurements, the Ultra Mirage Full Face Mask with Headgear is not the ideal mask for you." They recommend other masks -- all small where you have to choose a size but none of the recommendations are for a full face mask. Also, none of the recommendations are for the HC405, which I love.

Interesting.
France

frapilu wrote:I've just tried cpap.com's sizing guide for the UMFF. They tell me "Given your measurements, the Ultra Mirage Full Face Mask with Headgear is not the ideal mask for you." They recommend other masks -- all small where you have to choose a size but none of the recommendations are for a full face mask. Also, none of the recommendations are for the HC405, which I love.
Interesting.
France

Interesting, indeed.
According to their sizing guide, it supposedly wasn't a good choice for me, either. Funny thing is, it's the absolute BEST FF that I've tried!:o

Hmmm.......

Cpap.Com Mask Sizing Guide

Before discussing the chin seal on the 432 I wanted to say just a word about the Cpap.com sizing chart. Please note that Cpap.com has a link on its website that identifies one of the Sizing Guide's primary limitations.

If you follow the link on the homepage to the CPAP Mask sizing guide, "Size Cpap Mask", it will take you to the Mask Sizing Guide where you enter your measurements. At the top of the Sizing Guide is a link entitled, "Masks Included in This Guide." This list will clear up the mystery of why some masks are never recommended. The list the Guide contains is as follows:

CPAP Sizing Guide Mask Listing
Aclaim 2 Nasal CPAPMask
ComfortClassic Mask with Headgear
ComfortCurve Nasal Interface
ComfortGel Mask with Headgear
ComfortSelect Mask with Headgear
DeVilbiss Serenity CPAP Mask With Headgear
DreamFit Nasal CPAP Interface with Dreamseal
Everest Aura Twilight NP Nasal CPAP Interface
FlexiFit HC405 Nasal CPAP Mask
FlexiFit HC407 Nasal CPAP Mask
FlexiFit HC431 Full Face Mask
Mirage Activa Mask with Headgear
Mirage Swift Nasal Pillow System
Mirage Vista CPAP Mask with Headgear
New Version Breeze SleepGear CPAP Interface System with TWO sets of Nasal Pillows
Profile Lite Gel Mask with Headgear
Simplicity Mask with Headgear
SomnoPlus Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Ultra Mirage Full Face Mask with Headgear
Ultra Mirage II Nasal Mask with Headgear

Therefore when you enter your measurements the Guide will inevitably select one of the above. This is something you should realize before you use the Guide. If your favorite mask doesn't appear in this list it won't be recommended, not because it isn't a good mask, but simply because the Cpap.com folks haven't included it in their Guide for one reason or another.

F&P Chin Seal

Having spent more time with the new F&P 432 I'd like to recommend the mask to you for a reason I haven't yet discussed in my review and that is the 432's superb chin seal.

I spoke with a customer service representative at Cpap.com this morning. She assured me that the F&P 431 and 432 are the only full face masks that seal below the chin. The combination of the 432's chin seal and its new inner foam seal combine to make it the most comfortable and best sealing mask I've used. Let me also say that the under the chin seal does not result in a claustrophobic experience that is in any way different from the basic experience of a full face mask that seals on top of the chin and below the bottom lip. If you've used a full face mask before without issue, I sincerely doubt that the chin seal will cause one.

One of the primary advantages of the chin seal is that it forms a rock solid anchor that inhibits side to side movement of the mask during sleep. Last night I purposefully reached up and tried to dislodge the mask by moving it side to side. The chin seal prohibited that because lateral movement of the mask was held in check by either side of the jaw bone which the soft foam inner seal surrounds.

Further, the chin seal has completely stopped my mouth from falling open in a relaxed manner while I am in a deep sleep. My lips are not tightly clenched because of the upper pressure of the chin seal. However, they are held closed by it and not once have I awakened to the dry mouth I experienced due to mouth leaks while using a nasal mask.

The 432 enables me to open my lips and mouth breathe if I want to. It will also keep my mouth closed in a comfortable but effective manner that prevents mouth leaks should I not wish to breathe through my mouth. This certainly has to be a safer and more comfortable solution than taping.

Although the 432 has become my mask of choice, it most certainly isn't for everyone. I'd always choose a nasal mask over a full face if I didn't have to worry about mouth leaks. However, if you are thinking about moving to a full face mask because of mouth leaks then I would most certainly recommend you try the F&P 432 before the ResMed Ultra Mirage II FF Mask. I own both and have proven to my own satisfaction that the 432 is in a league of its own.

Hello folks. It's been quite a long time since I last posted here. Grayson, thank you for the great review and discussion of the HC432. I too have been looking for a new mask and have interest in the HC432, but I had similar concerns: no fitting guide - which I feel is a big miss for F-P. Since they have always provided all sizes in the box for the 431, that leaves users unsure of what size they need. I just corresponded with Becky over at cpap.com today, as a matter of fact, about the 432's size.

I hate to purchase the insurance because the cost is already high when you are paying your own way for CPAP equipment. My insurer at the time of my Dx in 1999 provided only one machine and breathing circuit for life. All on me from that point on. My current insurer does cover CPAP equipment, but of course I would have to use their DME - and thereby be stuck with the limited equipment that the DME provides. I much rather prefer purchasing the equipment that I want to use, and so I pay my own way by choice.

I am presently using a Resmed FFUM - my third or fourth. But they do leak on me, which is irritating. I did not know that the 432 actually fits under the chin - this will be interesting! Especially with a beard! My size for the UM is Large/Standard, so I think I will try a Large in the 432. Worse comes to worse, I purchase a smaller cushion and liner if it doesn't fit. As for getting used to it, I fortunately have never had a problem adjusting to CPAP and its various masks, etc. from the start.

So let me go and order the HC432. Good to see you all again!

Grayson,
Thank you for the excellent review.
I too have found the need for a FF mask. I tried the ComfortFull and liked the fit, It gave me the best numbers to date, but the whistle effect was more than I could bear. I like how quiet the UMFF is until I reach 11cmH2O and then the leaks develop. I think I have found the proper fit settings to avoid most leaks, but the bottom strap has to be tighter than I would prefer, I've developed an open sore on the bridge of my nose and my #s are terrible, although I've had a few good nights' sleep.
I had considered the HC432 but was hesitant because of the forehead piece. What has your experience been with the "spike" like headpiece MD727 spoke of in his OCT 07 review? viewtopic.php?t=14117&highlight=hc432

Thanks,

JM

Vader wrote:

Interesting, indeed.
According to their sizing guide, it supposedly wasn't a good choice for me, either. Funny thing is, it's the absolute BEST FF that I've tried!Surprised

Hmmm.......

you need to get out more often!

Oh that's right you die every time you take that hood off

I have tried my 432 for the past 3 nights and have gotten progressively better numbers. In fact last night my AHI was 0.6. Have never gotten close to that with the hybrid. It feels comfortable when I wear it, but I end up with large indentations from the mask, not the straps. It really doesn't feel like it is tight, so it may just be the configuration of my face. I also feel like it leaks, but the numbers don't indicate that. I think someone a few posts back indicated that it was the air circulating that made them feel that there were leaks when there really weren't. Could be the case for me also.