Any risk to RedMed machine if I remove filter after a month and reinsert backwards?

[Shin Ryoku]

Long story: A couple days ago I changed from the original standard filter on my AirCurve 10 Vauto to a 3rd party "hypoallergenic" filter from Supplier #1.   Commercial Link Removed.

This morning my machine briefly (for about 7-8 respiratory cycles) made a loud sound like the one in that YouTube video of the AirSense with a faulty pneumatic block: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naaezJEujSU

I'm hoping, as unlikely as it may be, that changing back to the more porous "standard" filter will prevent that awful sound from recurring and save me from having to send my relatively new device in for a warranty repair.

Problem is, I can't remember which side was facing which way on the standard filter I've been using and removed.  Visually, it looks white and clean.  If I put it in the wrong way and run the machine for a while without wearing the mask, will any accumulated dust just vent through the tube to the air, or could it gum up the internals of the machine somehow?

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[Sleeprider]

If you can't see the dirt, it is unlikely to release enough particulate be a problem to your unit. If there is a soft fuzzy side, that's the one that faces out. Remember how we used to blow-out the filters on our cars before Jiffy Lube started removing the filter and beating them to show you all the dirt to sell more filters? That works too.

I wonder how much more pressure drop there is in a hypoallergenic filter, compared to OEM?

[Shin Ryoku]

I'm not sure, but I think I noticed the machine being a little louder right away when I made the switch, and then then two days later I got the dying cow sound. When I realized it was coming from the machine, I took a couple deep breaths, and it went away.

The 3rd party hypoallergenic filter looks much less porous than the OEM standard filter, but for all I know, the OEM hypoallergenic filter may be just like the 3rd party hypoallergenic filter.

[Shin Ryoku]

"If there is a soft fuzzy side, that's the one that faces out."

There is a puffier side and a flatter side. Puffy faces out?

[Sleeprider]

"If there is a soft fuzzy side, that's the one that faces out."

There is a puffier side and a flatter side.  Puffy faces out?

Yes.  That is the surface area to capture dirt particles.

[Shin Ryoku]

Got it, thanks!

[kiwii]

I'm sure glad you asked this question. I just changed out my filter and didn't think to look at it. Thanks!

[Hojo]

I tried a hypoallergenic filter awhile back and darn near killed me.  I could't breath and it felt like I was suffocating, my resp rate was like 50 and I was panting like a dog. At the time I didn't know what was causing it and while trying to figure out what was wrong with me (the machine tested fine at the DME but wasn't put on me), Sleeprider made some random comment that got me thinking and then it hit me, I had changed filters. 

I went up and opened the door to the filter, turned the machine on and WOW, the filter was almost sucked in.  I put the mask on and held my breath, the machine started bucking and that is what made me feel and look like I was panting 'like a dog'.  The hypoallergenic filter I had was not allowing air to pass through the filter medium.  Once I put the normal screen filter back in, I haven't had a problem.

[ajack]

Thanks for posting that about the hypo filter. It's another thing on the check list, for when there are problems.

I wouldn't reverse a filter, I think it will only empty the dust into the machine. When you clean other filters, you blow air from the clean side. To remove the trapped particles.