Holes and vents in masks?

[bbbl67]

Okay, I got a bit of a curiosity question here. Almost all masks that I have seen, have some form of holes or vents cut into them. Now these vents don't seem to be unidirectional based on exhalation vs. inhalation, so they seem to be always leaking air out no matter what. Is there a standard volume of air leakage that these vents are designed to expel? Doesn't the volumetric rate change based on your machine pressure settings? Also isn't this inefficient if your machine is set to a certain pressure, but most of that pressure is being leaked out constantly?

[Brazen]

I don't know standard volume or mechanics of it all but without some sort of vent on the masks we would be reinhaling our own CO2 so maybe not efficient design but necessary.

[Crimson Nape]

Every mask has a pressure/leak rate chart published in the mask's documentation that accompanies the mask.

[KeepSmiling]

For safety sake: Never tape/cover the holes or alter them in any way.

The Flow rate does increase with increased pressure.

The air you are expelling is being flushed out of the holes.

[KeepSmiling]

I guess I type to slow.

[bbbl67]

Thanks everyone, sorry for the late reply.