I need to stop chasing 0 AHI.

Thanks J

Hi Rested Gal,

You wrote "I haven't looked at the Zzz full face mask's flow rate chart, compared to ResMed's FF masks (Ultra Mirage FF, Quattro, Liberty) so can't comment on whether that 60 L/s is ok or not. Generally you want the leak rate when using a ResMed machine to be under 0.40 Liters per second. That probably doesn't matter so much when using their single pressure "cpap", but it might matter when using their "autopap." With all the calculations an autopap has to do about what pressure to use, a leak rate over the manufacturers' suggested "this is the max that's 'ok'", might confuse an autotitrating machine somewhat about what's going on....and what to do. Dunno."

Where do I get a flow rate chart for the Zzz-Mask? I have the chart for the ResMed masks but I cannot find one for the Probasics Zzz-Mask. I asked Probasics if they can help but I have not yet received a response. It seems to me that if the ResMed CPAP is accurately reporting my leak rates (assuming I have selected the correct mask setting - I'm using "regular" and not one of the ResMed Mask settings) then I need to know that whether I am using the CPAP or switch to an APAP.

Thanks.

KengEsq wrote:Where do I get a flow rate chart for the Zzz-Mask?

Ken, I don't know. Masks in general (at least, any I've bought) come with some paperwork from the mfgr. That chart was on the paper that came with the mask. But I've never bought a ProBasics mask. Don't know if they include a vent flow chart with their masks or not.

Thanks again. I will look but I do not recall a flow chart that came with my Zzz-Mask similar to that provided with a ResMed mask. I know that when I tried the ResMed Liberty (my first mask) a chart came with it that gave the flow rates at different pressures (32.3 at 8 cm H2O) and my ResMed Quattro came with the same chart and had the same flow rate. (The Ultra Mirage also has the same flow rate). The other issue that is unresolved is the flow rate ResMed uses to calculate the leak rate if the mask setting is set to "Regular" on my S8 Elite II CPAP machine. I have asked ResMed to tell me about that but I have also not received a response yet. It would be nice to have all of the required information to know my settings are correct or at least the best for the mask I am using. I have also asked ResMed to explain any issues the reported leak rate might have to my other readings (AHI, AI and HI) and if it matters more to have a correct mask setting if I switch to the S8 AutoSet II APAP machine. Thanks for making me think of these issues and to stimulate my search for answers. Of course, this all assumes that the "flow rate" is directly related to the "leak rate" reported by my machine.

HI all,

I think I am making some progress in understanding flow rates and mask leak reports on my ResMed S8 Elite II CPAP machine. First, the setting I have been using with my Zzz-Mask is "Standard" and not "Regular" as I thought. ResMed also provides a chart for Mask/Flow gererator settings for its each of its models of generators (S7, S8, VPAP III, Malibu, Adapt SV and VPAP Auto) for each of its own masks only. The "Standard" setting seems to be for its nasal masks with flow rates of 27.7 Liters/min at 8 cm of H2O so that is probably the wrong setting to use for the Zzz-Mask Full face. All of ResMed's full face masks on the S7, S8 and VPAP III generators should be set as "Mir Full" as each of the full face masks have a flow rate of 32.2 L/m at 8 cm of H2O. However, the proper mask setting is "Full Face" for the Malibu and VPAP Auto. For the Adapt SV the mask setting is "Full Face for the Quattro and Liberty but is "Mir Full" for the Ultra Mirage. Now all I have to do is find the flow rate for my Zzz-Mask full face at 8 cm H2O.
Apparently, the mask settings for the S8 Elite II and the ResMed S8 AutoSet II are the same as both machines are within the S8 Flow Generator family.
Until I hear something to the contrary from Probasics (Zzz-Mask) or ResMed I am going to use the "Mir Full" setting on my ResMed CPAP machine and see what leak rate is reported.