08-04-2020, 04:03 PM
can resmed air mini be dangerous?
I got a ResMed Air Mini with an Airfit F30 mask to use when I travel. I spent 10 days on vacation in a hot humid climate (in February). The machine turns off automatically shortly after I take the mask off, then starts back when I put the mask on and start breathing. I like this feature generally; however on one occasion I woke up from a deep sleep literally suffocating. I tried to take a breath and couldn't. I started to panic and grabbed the mask that was stuck to my face like a jellyfish or a deflated plastic bag. I had to put my finger underneath it and pry it off my face before I could get a breath. On one other occasion I woke up to no air coming in. A deep breath seemed to correct the situation.
Needless to say I am leery of taking it anywhere or using the Air Mini at all. I am wondering if the auto start/stop feature functions improperly if my body is sometimes not inclined breathe without prompting. My "home unit", a ResMed F10 which is a work horse and works fine, gives me little "puffs" to encourage me to breathe when I'm not. I don't notice this happening with the Air Mini.
Anyone experienced this or have any thoughts about it?
RE: can resmed air mini be dangerous?
What mask are you using with the AirMini? Sometimes the auto start/stop feature doesn't work well with some masks. Either way, I would turn it off if you feel it isn't working properly.
RE: can resmed air mini be dangerous?
All full face masks have an anti-asphyxiation valve that allows fresh air to enter the unpressurized mask in the event of a failure in the flow generator. You can test this feature by putting on the mask, plugging the air supply tube and inhaling. If you don't get air, the mask is defective.
08-05-2020, 04:15 PM
(This post was last modified: 08-05-2020, 04:18 PM by mesenteria.)
RE: can resmed air mini be dangerous?
...or needs a good cleaning, perhaps with a toothbrush....not yours, .......someone else's.
Seriously, that can't have been much fun. We could be talking about a power failure, power cord connection became unstuck briefly (maybe you inadvertently struck it or moved the machine enough that it dislodged), or you covered the mask sufficiently that you couldn't exchange air and it couldn't open the relief valve....not sure. If the machine starts and runs, it should not have a glitch that causes you to begin to suffocate. As Sleeprider suggests, the valve is faulty or it needs careful cleaning to free it properly, or vents need to be cleaned with a soft bristle brush.
If you'd like some company with your experience, I use a nasal mask, and as a mouth breather, must tape over my lips. Twice now, in three years, I have awakened unable to breathe through my nose due to congestion in both nares. The first time, I hadn't anticipated this eventuality. I also hadn't prepared one end of the tape for easy and panicked grabbing to tear the tape off my mouth. You can be assured that it was a much easier, and faster, remedy the second time with that small folded end.
RE: can resmed air mini be dangerous?
I'm using an Airfit F30. It's supposed to be one of the ones you can use with an Air mini. I did think that maybe the easiest solution is just to get a nasal mask since I am a nose breather anyway. Thanks for your response!
Thank you to all that replied!