CPAP Hoses

My question concerns CPAP hoses, and masks for that matter. The masks are extremely uncomfortable, and one of the problems is the size of the air hose. It is 1" in diameter. Does anyone know why it has to be that wide? If each nostril is less than 1/4 inch in diameter, than a half inch hose should have more than enough volume to accomodate the CPAP flow and pressure. And, if so, why aren't CPAP devices set up with 1/2" outlets and 1/2" air hoses. That would make them less cumbersome and the mask would not feel as uncomfortable. Does any one know why the standard was set to an inch in diameter? There has to be a reason

aAlexander wrote:My question concerns CPAP hoses, and masks for that matter. The masks are extremely uncomfortable, and one of the problems is the size of the air hose. It is 1" in diameter. Does anyone know why it has to be that wide? If each nostril is less than 1/4 inch in diameter, than a half inch hose should have more than enough volume to accomodate the CPAP flow and pressure. And, if so, why aren't CPAP devices set up with 1/2" outlets and 1/2" air hoses. That would make them less cumbersome and the mask would not feel as uncomfortable. Does any one know why the standard was set to an inch in diameter? There has to be a reason

Hi there,
I would agree with you, those large diameter hoses are cumbersom.

there is a new hose out which is sleek and smaller, it SAYS.. it can only be used with resmed s 9 model machines, but I have mine plugged into
an antique resmed malibu bipap right now, it fits fine..

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... ubing.html

There are smaller masks too..
check out the swift fx mask.. nothing to it..
click on my profile mask below, youll see it come up..

I have used the Respironics "white performance hose" for several years now. It is no less in diameter but is SO MUCH lighter! It doesn't tug on the mask and, for me, makes the whole cpap process MUCH easier.

I have 2 spares now as well.

Incidentally, this hose comes with the PR System One cpap machines as standard equipment.

aAlexander wrote:My question concerns CPAP hoses, and masks for that matter. The masks are extremely uncomfortable, and one of the problems is the size of the air hose. It is 1" in diameter. Does anyone know why it has to be that wide? If each nostril is less than 1/4 inch in diameter, than a half inch hose should have more than enough volume to accomodate the CPAP flow and pressure. And, if so, why aren't CPAP devices set up with 1/2" outlets and 1/2" air hoses. That would make them less cumbersome and the mask would not feel as uncomfortable. Does any one know why the standard was set to an inch in diameter? There has to be a reason

In addition to the volume of air needed to maintain your prescribed pressure, an additional volume of air is needed to flush out the CO2 that has accumulated in the mask. This air/CO2 mixture comes out of the exhaust ports.

Alexander - There is no reason at this point in the development of Cpap masks for someone to still have problems finding a relatively comfortable one to fit them. Maybe you're unaware of what's out there now and the variety available, or maybe your DME has just not bothered to help you get fitted properly. It's so important, and e.g. just overtightening the wrong mask (or size) can cause worse leaks instead of helping. Why not make a new effort to find something that really works for you.

A smaller hose would have higher resistance to air flow, which will affect the pressure delivered by the machine. The ResMed S9 machines must compensate for this; hence the "SlimLine" setting. Using the SlimLine hose with other xPAPs may affect the therapy being provided.

jdm2857 wrote:A smaller hose would have higher resistance to air flow, which will affect the pressure delivered by the machine. The ResMed S9 machines must compensate for this; hence the "SlimLine" setting. Using the SlimLine hose with other xPAPs may affect the therapy being provided.

Also...

... in order to deliver the same volume of air to the mask, the cpap must move the air faster through a smaller diameter hose. This means that the cpap motor may need to spin faster, with possible added noise. The faster moving air in the hose also can create additional noise, too, although for tubes only marginally smaller than 1" diameter, the difference may not be audible.