[CPAP] Resmed Mask F30i - Tabs keep breaking.. Anybody else have this problem?

[Snacko]

I love my ResMed Airfit F30i mask.  I bought it about 6 months ago.  But the tiny plastic tabs that slip the frame onto the front mouth piece have broken off.  First one side, just after the warranty expired.  And a few days ago the other side.  

This seems like a product defect to me.  The tabs are so tiny.  They're plastic, and only about 1/8th of an inch wide, and a little over 1/16th of an inch thick.  

Does anyone else have this problem??  
They break so easy, I wish they would redesign those tabs.  Maybe use metal?  IDK..  

[Homerec130]

I have the F20 and have had similar issues. It is probably the weakest link in the system. The replacement tabs are available on line. Do a search on "resmed airfit f20 replacement cpap mask headgear magnetic clips" They are usually quite inexpensive and come in packs of 4 or more. Most of the companies on the supplier list also stock them. It is just a question of how much you want to pay and how fast you need them.

Whenever I get a new headgear assembly, I pull some of the parts off the old one - especially the clips. I have a couple of ziploc bags with clips, elbows, and the like sitting in my nightstand. Luckily my wife and I both use the F20s and have plenty of spares and other parts.

[Snacko]

Thanks for the reply.

I'm talking about the F30i.  It has a head frame where the hose connects at the top of your head, and goes through the frame and connects to the mask.  That's where the plastic tabs are breaking.

[RainbowFish]

I know the tabs you are talking about. I have not had trouble with them, but they are relatively fragile. Gentle click to get them seated. I do use strap covers, which might cushion them some if your issue is them breaking off when they are already attached.

[AlaskanSky]

Snako, the 
same thing has happened twice to me. Each time on the first night of use sometime during the night!

[RainbowFish]

Since my last reply I have had this issue too. It seems to be the weak link for this style. I take the cushion off daily to clean it and eventually a tab will partially break. It is subtle, but enough that the cushion will not click to stay in. I keep an extra headgear around, as there is no fix I know of. For me they last about 6 months.

[Sis2cher]

I’m having exact same problem.  I’ve had 3 clip holders break on the frame in 8 months. The frame is completely useless when this happens.  
I am going to contact my supplier again tomorrow with another broken frame. This is crazy.  

Has Resmed done anything to address this issue?   I will be contacting them also.  This could get very expensive!!

[MisterSpike]

SAME! I'm on my third ResMed F30i. The tabs broke off the first two at around the 6 month mark.

This seems like planned obselescence to me. The tabs are so fragie and the plastic is so brittle. If they had wanted them to last, they would have made them better.

I have tried gluing the tabs back on, and holding them in place with tape, but neither has worked.

I've been able to use the mask anyway; once it's on my face and the magnetic clips are attached, it stays on fine.

My only advice is to pack it very carefully before you go travelling. Make sure the mask is disconnected from the rest of the frame, and try tucking those connectors carefully away from anything that could damage them.

[Pcarmichael]

just ran into this problem-- this tap is chipped but not fully broken off so i can nudge it to stay in place when it is kind of perched on my face, then I attach the magnetic strap to hold the whole thing in place.  I can see a stress line in the plastic at the base of that tiny tab so it is just a matter of time before the whole thing comes off.   Due for a new setup but I have been lazy about ordering it so... yet, that's not great.  oh well.  otherwise I love the F30i.   I wonder if i could put a little epoxy in that area to buttress it up without messing up the fit into the slot.