UMFF fitting

hayeswildrick · Post by **hayeswildrick** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 6:20 am

I've tried to use the search function and I'm coming up blank.

Can someone please give me the link to the thread where one man tells how he adjusts his Ultra Mirage for a great fit?

Thanks!
Jeff

brackstone · Post by **brackstone** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 9:47 am

I just got an Ultra Mirage too I'll see if I can dig up the thread as well.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 10:49 am

best way to adjust any mask is laying down in bed with your head on the pillow mask on, turn machine on.

1. Start with the top straps if so equipped.
Grab both straps and release the velcro, pull outward from face at about 10 to 2 O'clock position, take the straps back and reattach velcro. You should be able to pull the forehead piece away from your forehead by at least 1/8" easily. It should not apply hardly any pressure to the forehead pads. Those pads are only there for stability.

2. Next grab both bottom straps, release velcro, repeat same as top straps, this time pull straps evenly only tight enough to stop any leaks, no tighter, reattach velcro.

3. Next adjust forehead pivot, adjust it out until you just get leaks into the eyes, then take it back to next notch, leaks in eyes must not be allowed. Use that forehead pivot to relieve pressure on the bridge of the nose, again you relieve the pressure until you get leaks into the eyes then take it back.

4. If forehead pivot is adusted to eliminate leaks into the eyes if you develop leaks at the mouth area, tighten up on the bottom straps again, but only enough to stop the leak.

Do NOT tighten the straps on a UMFF where it crushes the cushion! Once you crush the cushion it leaves a crease where it will leak more at the crease then between your face.

Keep it CLEAN. A oily mask from skin oils will leak more than a clean one. Wash your face before bed to remove any skin oils.

I NEVER take my mask apart other than removing the headgear for cleaning. I clean it in one piece right before bed if needed, it doesn't have to sit out all day to dry.

I just squirt some antibacterial citrus Dawn liquid hand soap in a sink of hot water, then give it the beer glass cleaning agitation action run my fingers around the cushion and rinse, dry off excess water with a towel and put it on. Takes like 2 minutes tops.

TRY and control leaks with sleeping position and hose routing, I put my hose under my pillow coming down then up to the mask. But if it leaks, don't worry about it, any leaks will still be less than mouth breathing.

Make sure you get the RIGHT size. Correct size if found by measuring from center of the pupils of the eye down to the indention in the chin with mouth closed naturally. A med-standard measures 3-3/4" for that measurement.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 12:28 pm

Snoredog wrote:best way to adjust any mask is laying down in bed with your head on the pillow mask on, turn machine on.

1. Start with the top straps if so equipped.
Grab both straps and release the velcro, pull outward from face at about 10 to 2 O'clock position, take the straps back and reattach velcro. You should be able to pull the forehead piece away from your forehead by at least 1/8" easily. It should not apply hardly any pressure to the forehead pads. Those pads are only there for stability.

2. Next grab both bottom straps, release velcro, repeat same as top straps, this time pull straps evenly only tight enough to stop any leaks, no tighter, reattach velcro.

3. Next adjust forehead pivot, adjust it out until you just get leaks into the eyes, then take it back to next notch, leaks in eyes must not be allowed. Use that forehead pivot to relieve pressure on the bridge of the nose, again you relieve the pressure until you get leaks into the eyes then take it back.

4. If forehead pivot is adusted to eliminate leaks into the eyes if you develop leaks at the mouth area, tighten up on the bottom straps again, but only enough to stop the leak.

Do NOT tighten the straps on a UMFF where it crushes the cushion! Once you crush the cushion it leaves a crease where it will leak more at the crease then between your face.

Keep it CLEAN. A oily mask from skin oils will leak more than a clean one. Wash your face before bed to remove any skin oils.

I NEVER take my mask apart other than removing the headgear for cleaning. I clean it in one piece right before bed if needed, it doesn't have to sit out all day to dry.

I just squirt some antibacterial citrus Dawn liquid hand soap in a sink of hot water, then give it the beer glass cleaning agitation action run my fingers around the cushion and rinse, dry off excess water with a towel and put it on. Takes like 2 minutes tops.

TRY and control leaks with sleeping position and hose routing, I put my hose under my pillow coming down then up to the mask. But if it leaks, don't worry about it, any leaks will still be less than mouth breathing.

Make sure you get the RIGHT size. Correct size if found by measuring from center of the pupils of the eye down to the indention in the chin with mouth closed naturally. A med-standard measures 3-3/4" for that measurement.

My approach to the UMFF is pretty much the same as Snoredog described. I've bolded some of the parts for my emphasis.

I wear the top straps very loose and the forehead piece in the full-upright position.....brings the upper part of the cushions farther back on the bridge of my nose to prevent leaks.

If your measurements fall right in-between the sizes.....I would suggest getting the next size larger.

This mask shouldn't EVER hurt you.

WHEN I get around to cleaning mine, I use Dawn dishwashing liquid and a Folger's (plastic) coffee "can" with the lid on so I can shake the container. After washing and then rinsing in HOT water, I fill the container with COLD water and let it sit in there for awhile. In my opinion, it helps to firm up the seals a bit. (I'm still using the same mask and seals from when I started.)

Emphasis again on: DON'T ever take it apart!

The only thing that really affects the leak rate on mine is when I go for more than 2 days without shaving. Otherwise, at a pressure of 12, my leak rate is typically right around 39 - 42.

Den

SleepySandy · Post by **SleepySandy** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 2:59 am

Wulfman wrote:Emphasis again on: DON'T ever take it apart!

Why not?

Inpjs · Post by **Inpjs** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 3:09 am

I have a question regarding the Ultra Mirage II mask. That is currently what I am using however I think it may be too big because the top head strap is too high up on my head for me to even really use it. It keeps the mask on but the bottom straps are definately tighter than the top. I've been experiencing leaks on the sides of my mouth when I get relaxed and my mouth opens.

It's annoying because the noise wakes me up.

WNJ · Post by **WNJ** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 4:55 am

Inpjs wrote:I have a question regarding the Ultra Mirage II mask. That is currently what I am using however I think it may be too big because the top head strap is too high up on my head for me to even really use it. It keeps the mask on but the bottom straps are definately tighter than the top. I've been experiencing leaks on the sides of my mouth when I get relaxed and my mouth opens.

It's annoying because the noise wakes me up.

I agree with Snoredog’s instructions for adjusting. Follow them carefully and make adjustments in small increments and you should get good results if your mask is the right size.

The evil DME set me up with a medium shallow UMFF. I had to wear it too tight to minimize leaks and even that did not work well. I then used the fitting guide at cpap.com. It said I needed a medium standard in the UMFF. I ordered that and it made a world of difference.

Run your numbers thru the fitting guide and see if your mask is sized correctly.

Wayne

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 10:11 am

SleepySandy wrote:
Wulfman wrote:Emphasis again on: DON'T ever take it apart!
Why not?

I've seen way too many incidents on this forum where people had serious difficulty getting their masks back together (particularly without leaking) after taking them apart. And, besides, it's not necessary in order to clean them.

I've never had mine apart in the two years I've been using it. (Same goes for the humidifier from my original machine.)

Den

hayeswildrick · Post by **hayeswildrick** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 2:29 pm

Thanks for all the great replies.

I'm still having leakage problems with my UMFF, but I've still got a few tweaks to try. I did check the fitting guide and it sends me to the same size mask as the one my DME fitted me with, so I'm feeling pretty good there.

Press on!!
Jeff