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A mask liner (Pad a cheek) will not stop leaks from happening,
but it will reduce the noise and airflow disturbance that wakes you.
Mask liners also extend the life of cushions.
IMO, totally worth it!

A mask liner might also prolonged the life of the cushion because it absorbs the facial oils that can break down a mask.

Skin oil--still a problem for old-ish frogs.
A nightly baby wipe helps the silicone without needless handling.
Wipe mask--then face--get rid of that grease!

That's the F30 unfortunately. The F30 has a front hose as where the F30i has the hose at the top of the headgear but I will keep a look there.

Edit chunkyfrog Ninja'd me while posting

I use a Neutrogena face soap that practically removes any oils from you face leaving it as oil free as it gets

Sorry...copied wrong link

Check here...there are other listings as well

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ResMed-AirFit- ... fo534CIB9A

No worries, haha I had the wrong fricken facemask for weeks in my profile, errors happen


That one was a little suspect since it said it didn't come in original packaging but that link you gave me had another seller listed right below it that is selling them new in package. So thank you very much. That is half of regular cost. I will post back once I get them.

You've been on CPAP for about three weeks and you've already come to the conclusion that your cushions are lasting two weeks.

Silicone just doesn't break down that quickly. The explanation is likely in the fitting.

(Not combative just presenting what I'm going by)
Why would it be perfect for the first two weeks and than start leaking all the sudden?

I have everything tightened based on the machines "Mask Leak Test" which I assume blasts at max pressure. If I tighten my mask the way they show in the Resmed videos it 100% and almost instantly leaks if I move.

I wash my face every night using Neutrogena Bar Soap and wipe down everything with CPAP wipes every morning. I am washing once a week with Soap and Water (didn't the first week).

Going by the machines it's a bit tighter than I would prefer but does not leak no matter how I move my head or face.

https://www.cpap.com/blog/change-cpap-m ... -cleaning/

Says you may need to replace a mask cushion 1-2 a month.


I am certainly open to suggestions if anyone has any.

Well given that in this topic and your other topic you've talked about leak issues a few times, I don't know how you can now state that things went perfect the first two weeks.

And me failing to be able to explain exactly why things were better and now appear to be worse, does not mean that the problem must therefore be a severely shortened cushion lifespan. That simply isn't the default position until proven otherwise. Especially, from an inexperienced user.

Some alternative explanations, recognizing that there might be more, but as much as you believe your are providing all the pertinent data, you're likely not.

• You aren't fitting it properly. Learning to adjust our masks is a learned skill.
• You've already boiled it
• You are sleeping in a different position
• Now that you've becoming more accustomed to CPAP you are less "tense" and facial structure is altered slightly.
• You have become more aware and sensitive to something that has always been present, but earlier you were more focused on the distractions of such a new and different experience.
• You might have had some weight change
• You might be experiencing more (or less) anxiety because of external forces

Simply put, there may not be a known explanation. A few weeks ago I had a leak that bugged me all night, I just couldn't solve it. Hadn't happened with that set of pillows before, and hasn't since. Same set of cushions. There are people who have reportedly used the same type of mask for years and then become intolerant to it.

But, the fact of the matter is, the biggest stumbling blocks for new CPAP users is mask comfort and leaks.

Now, if you want to pursue a new set of cushions every two weeks at approximately $1500 dollars a year, go ahead.

Maybe you're tight, it is the silicone and for some strange reason your body chemistry is causing your silicone to degrade in days at the same rate the rest of us do in months. But, I'd be pursuing a lot of other things before that, including just getting used to it.

Don't forget to add a weekly washing of the cushion in hot water and Dawn (or something similar) to your routine.
Wiping daily with a little wipe helps but sometimes we just need a more thorough cleaning.
Do also consider a mask liner....it can muffle those tiny leaks that don't show up on the reports all that much but bug the hell out of us....also they can prolong the cushion life.

@Dog Slobber
That is entirely possible that I am only noticing it now that I am accustomed to it. I'm not ruling anything out.

Unfortunately I've only come across lingers for the F30 and they are not compatible (per the site) with the F30i.

Is it possible that I am wearing the silicone out because I have to tighten my mask more since I tend to hover between 13-20cmH2O? From what I read the average CPAP is around 10cmH2O and since I am APAP that is basically my starting pressure and nearly doubles the average users pressure

Tonight I will try a new cushion just as a control and see if I experience a leak.

@Pugsy
I know I'm probably overpaying (price to quantity) by using this but I used Purdoux CPAP Mask & Hose Soap during my last wash. Seemed to have worked well.

SyCoREAPER wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 20, 2020 12:41 pm

Is it possible that I am wearing the silicone out because I have to tighten my mask more since I tend to hover between 13-20cmH2O? From what I read the average CPAP is around 10cmH2O and since I am APAP that is basically my starting pressure and nearly doubles the average users pressure

Over-tightening masks is one of the most significant (and unintuitive) causes of mask leaks. It prevents the cushion from inflating properly or evenly.

Not sure how reliable your source is regarding the average pressure being 10cm, and around here 13-20cm seems to be pretty normal, definitely not high and probably on the low side.

So work with me here. Obviously I'm a noob.

What should I go by for tightening? By comfort, it leaks. By videos it leaks. Articles basically describe the videos. I am assuming that going by the machine, it's too tight?

What is considered too tight?

I know there are numerous guides out there and I've read them but obviously still something isnt right and maybe some real people feedback may help

SyCoREAPER wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 20, 2020 1:17 pm

So work with me here. Obviously I'm a noob.

What should I go by for tightening? By comfort, it leaks. By videos it leaks. Articles basically describe the videos. I am assuming that going by the machine, it's too tight?

What is considered too tight?

I know there are numerous guides out there and I've read them but obviously still something isnt right and maybe some real people feedback may help

are you fitting your mask while you are at your pressure or are you fitting by using ramp pressure? i don't even know if you are using ramp or not. just thought i'd throw this out for you.

That's a negative. I hate hate hate ramp.

For mask tension I use the Resmed Mask Fit setting which inflates it while I'm wearing it and I tighten the velcro while fully inflated.