Newbie and leaks?

Good afternoon,

I was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea (~30 a night) and got set up on CPAP yesterday. I have an S9 Elite and was able to sleep for about 4 hours (10pm-2am). I think I had a serious leak as the data says 0.4l/s and .24 l/minute. Is this why I showed a low number of apneas last night? Or am I basically just confused? I can provide more detail if necessary...


Thanks

Trevor

The S9 Elite reports leaks in L/min and not L/sec. It subtracts a predetermined mask vent rate so all leak reported is excess leak.
ResMed says that the machine can compensate for leaks up to 24 L/min.
There is a huge difference between L/min and L/sec (like X60).
.4 L/sec converted to L/min is 24 L/min (.4X60) I don't know where you are seeing L/sec as the S8 machines reported in L/sec but S9 machines report in L/min

.24 L/min if that is where the decimal point is, is well below the maximum allowable leak of 24 L/min where ResMed says therapy and data can be impaired.

So make sure you are understanding your leak rate as it is reported. Placement of decimal point is critical.

Where are you getting the leak number? Off the machine or software? Are you aware there is software available?

I d/ld the resScan software, the report says, L/Min median 1.2; 95th percentile 7.2, 76.8, looking at the detailed data it says, 0.4L/Sec=24L/Min. There is a bar graph that says, 1.2, 7.2, and 76.8.

Trevor

Welcome Trevor!

This forum has been an amazing resource for me with my treatment and the support folks offer is beyond repute! I have had so many questions and concerns and someone always is here with the experience to offer you insight, advice and recommendations.

Can you post your mask information?

Quattro FX by Resmed, full silicone face mask.

trevchapple wrote:L/Min median 1.2; 95th percentile 7.2, 76.8,

Median average leak is 1.2 L/min (very good and well below the 24 L/min)
95% leak number means that for 95% of the night you were at OR below the reported 7.2 L/min (this is also very good and well below the 24 L/min)
76.8 is probably Maximum leak. You didn't spend much time at that number or the 95% number would be higher.
Probably brief mask seating leak and I wouldn't worry about it. Probably on the leak graph itself the time spent there was very short lived.

So for a first night...excellent leak numbers and no reason to doubt the other numbers unless you see a prolonged period of time at or above the red line on the reports at 24 L/min.
I would count this night a success.

I have the same mask. I bought a leak strap and mask liner by pad a cheek and they really help. the leak strap is the most important.. it really supports and holds the mask snugly in place and really prevents most leaks.. also with this mask. the head strap on top needs to be behind your head towards the top of the head. I had it too high (almost on top of my head) and the mask leaked like crazy. If you look at the instructions it shows you exactly the position for that top strap.. Makes a HUGE difference... my pressure is set at 13.5 and I have gotten the leaks under good control with this method...