Any experience with HME's with F20/F30 masks?

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
SleepyGamer
Posts: 10
Joined: Fri Mar 15, 2019 8:38 am

Any experience with HME's with F20/F30 masks?

Post by SleepyGamer » Tue Mar 19, 2019 9:11 am

Has anyone tried the heat moisture exchangers with F20 or F30 masks. I mentioned the issue that I had with it in a Dreamstation Go thread, but thought I'd break it out to see if any of you wise souls have any advise.

Anyway, I bought a DreamStation Go and was hoping to be able to fly without the humidifier using a HME for a couple nights. However, when I connect the HME to the mask I cannot inhale without the flaps in the mask making a loud noise. I can sometimes create this noise without the HME, but only when I suddenly change to a very quick deep breath and never hear it after I settle down after first starting my machine. With the HME attached I cannot take a breath without the noise. The HME didn't come with much for instructions, but from what I found I attached it directly to my mask connection then connected the hose to the HME. Am I missing something or is this just not going to be a compatible combination.

Stom
Posts: 383
Joined: Sat Jul 21, 2018 9:44 am

Re: Any experience with HME's with F20/F30 masks?

Post by Stom » Tue Mar 19, 2019 2:02 pm

The F20 and F30 oronasal masks have built in passive vents and anti-rebreathing valves (which let you breathe room air directly through the valve if the CPAP blower turns off) so you don't suffocate. An HME doesn't work if there is a passive vent on the mask side of the HME venting the moisture out. So neither the F20 or F30 are made to be used with an HME. Note that the HME set up for the Resmed AirMini only works with the special Resmed nasal masks made for the AirMini and not the F20 or F30 oronasal masks.
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