Why do masks have to be so bad?

I think everyone will agree that venting on some masks is annoying. I have a Resmed Ultra Mirage II nasal mask, and it directs the vented air to the point where the hose connects to the mask. If they'd gone a little further and created a nipple for the air to escape from, a piece of soft air hose (like for aquariums, etc) could be cut to size and attached to the hose to force the air away from me or someone sleeping with me. I figure a foot of hose would be enough to cause the venting to go either well above my head or come out on top of the covers, but away from my head, arm, etc.

This seems like such a SIMPLE thing to do. If fear of the smaller hose being blocked is a concern, create a little globe to put on the end as a diffuser so the outgoing air couldn't be blocked unintentionally.

Also, why can't someone make a mask that can adjust to the face and create an air-tight seal? If they had to, create a kit that you "form" to your face, send back to a lab, make a plaster cast of the face, then use a heated plastic/gel or whatever that could be made to fit the contours of the face (assuming the heat needed would be higher than 120 degrees or so). My goodness, people can make molds of their netherregions at home with "novelty toys", so why is making one of the face so hard? Imagine a nasal mask that is the size of Bozo's nose, you just "stick it on" and off you go.

Actually, I know WHY... it's because engineers and such design these things. Give me access to some lab toys and watch what happens!

Actually, I know WHY... it's because engineers and such design these things. Give me access to some lab toys and watch what happens!

I have to admit that after I spent around 3 hours the morning of my titration trying on masks and trying to find something which would at least be tolerable and not send me screaming up the walls, I wondered much the same thing.

It was patently obvious that no one designing these masks is either (a) claustrophobic, or (b) has waist length hair, or (c) has pets. Some of them, I'm fairly certain, don't even have bed partners, or they wouldn't call their design "comfortable."

I'm not (yet) a lab rat myself, but there ARE some things stirring in my brain.... Danger, DANGER, Will Robinson! <grin>

Kiralynx wrote: It was patently obvious that no one designing these masks is either (a) claustrophobic, or (b) has waist length hair, or (c) has pets.

I do have pets, but not claustrophobia and I WISH I had that much hair.

ractar28 wrote:If they'd gone a little further and created a nipple for the air to escape from, a piece of soft air hose (like for aquariums, etc) could be cut to size and attached to the hose to force the air away from me or someone sleeping with me. I figure a foot of hose would be enough to cause the venting to go either well above my head or come out on top of the covers, but away from my head, arm, etc.

I think adding a long hose for venting "elsewhere" might create a problem with rebreathing one's own CO2. Something about the amount of deadspace that's ok...or not.

One of the many things I love about the Headrest mask is the spot where its vent is located. The exhaust vent is placed well above eyebrow level and is pointed straight up. Doesn't hit anything.

rested gal wrote:

ractar28 wrote:If they'd gone a little further and created a nipple for the air to escape from, a piece of soft air hose (like for aquariums, etc) could be cut to size and attached to the hose to force the air away from me or someone sleeping with me. I figure a foot of hose would be enough to cause the venting to go either well above my head or come out on top of the covers, but away from my head, arm, etc.

I think adding a long hose for venting "elsewhere" might create a problem with rebreathing one's own CO2. Something about the amount of deadspace that's ok...or not.

One of the many things I love about the Headrest mask is the spot where its vent is located. The exhaust vent is placed well above eyebrow level and is pointed straight up. Doesn't hit anything.

Yep, especially since those hose barbs are for adding supplemental Oxygen and not exhausting exhaled CO2 elsewhere.

Yeah, it is frustrating. I too prefer the vent of my Headrest. It's the most practical vent of the 4 masks I've tried. There are some masks out there that are "supposed" to conform to the face. The problem is that what is a perfect fit in one position is not in another, as our faces tend to be shape-shifters. I am so grateful that I am able to use a nasal pillows mask - those nares don't move much.

From time to time someone trying to create a better mousetrap comes on here wanting to know what would be wanted in a mask, but a universal dream mask hasn't come on the market, and I'm not holding my breath. I'm just glad there is in our day a wide variety of masks to choose from, even though the commonly complained about design shortcomings seem to be nearly universal.

A breakthrough has to come from somebody, so have at it!

ractar28 wrote:I do have pets, but not claustrophobia and I WISH I had that much hair.

You wouldn't if you were trying to either (a) keep mask straps from sliding on it, or (b) pull it through the mask straps so the straps serve as a hair band.

The hair, that is, not the pets.

My first thought if I was trying to design this CxAP (insert an R or P as you prefer) technology, would be to have a vent hose back to the machine with a seperate exhaust fan. Of course there is an issue with keeping the exhaust fan running just a tad slower than the "intake" fan, and there's the extra bulkiness and weight of the double hose, but I hang it over my head anyway.

Not an engineer, just a troubleshooter.

Snoredog wrote: Yep, especially since those hose barbs are for adding supplemental Oxygen and not exhausting exhaled CO2 elsewhere.

I understand that, I'm not trying to "repurpose" them, just change the current method of exhaust.