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+--- Thread: [Equipment] I have to CRANK down my full face mask to prevent leaking. What am I doing wrong? (/Thread-Equipment-I-have-to-CRANK-down-my-full-face-mask-to-prevent-leaking-What-am-I-doing-wrong)
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I have to CRANK down my full face mask to prevent leaking. What am I doing wrong? - srwilsn3 - 12-03-2023
I have a full face mask. APAP pressure is set at 12min/18max. If I don't tighten the straps down to maximum (like, fully stretched), my mask leaks at higher pressures. I watch videos of people putting their mask and straps on, and they just gingerly tighten. Maybe if my pressure was never higher than a 6 this would work. The mask only works if I crank it down. I have confirmed I'm using the right size mask (medium). The headgear is a size medium. Perhaps this is too big? Still feel like I'd have the same problem of having to crank the pillow down to press into my face enough to keep a seal.
I've just realized it's having to be so tight it's shifting my jaw backwards, which is narrowing my airway.
I feel like an idiot. Like, who doesn't know how to use straps? But I'm at my wits' end here.
RE: I have to CRANK down my full face mask to prevent leaking. What am I doing wrong? - staceyburke - 12-03-2023
You may not need so much pressure. Please post your Oscar charts and include the ones I have in my signature at the end of the post. You might be surprised what we can see and suggest.
RE: I have to CRANK down my full face mask to prevent leaking. What am I doing wrong? - srwilsn3 - 12-03-2023
My pulmonologist actually prescribed a minimum of 16 but it literally blows the mask off my face, so I put it at 12. This was based off of the 95th percentile reading from my data summary.
OSCAR software is not compatible with my machine, a RESVENT. I think I can post some equivalent data though using the guidance in your signature.
Will update tomorrow!
RE: I have to CRANK down my full face mask to prevent leaking. What am I doing wrong? - SarcasticDave94 - 12-03-2023
There's a few aspects of a good fitting mask, correct cushion size for the shape and size of your face, correct strap adjusting, right amount of tension which is not over tight. When you have to go too tight, the seal gets crushed and distorted meaning even more leaks, typically.
Best results are at the beginning stage, choosing the style, brand, then cushion size. Lots of CPAP users, even myself, believed we had to use a full face mask. Not true. If you try first a nasal pillows mask, it has the least areas requiring a proper seal, making it leak less easier. Next up is a nasal mask like a mini full face for the nose or nasal cradle, possibly others. Last is full face with the most seal area meaning more likely to leak.
My last mask despite it being full face, wasn't too bad at leaks. The Fisher and Paykel Vitera mask has a bellows like cushion that works best with minimal tension.
You may want to look up the mask wiki to get much more info than I can post. But be certain, a mask that's extra tight just ain't right.
RE: I have to CRANK down my full face mask to prevent leaking. What am I doing wrong? - Sleeprider - 12-03-2023
Read our Mask Primer wiki https://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php?title=Mask_Primer Generally if you cannot get a good seal with light pressure on the straps you need to reconsider the mask fit or model.
RE: I have to CRANK down my full face mask to prevent leaking. What am I doing wrong? - PeaceLoveAndPizza - 12-03-2023
(12-03-2023, 09:08 AM)Sleeprider Wrote: Read our Mask Primer wiki https://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php?title=Mask_Primer Generally if you cannot get a good seal with light pressure on the straps you need to reconsider the mask fit or model.
That is a most profound statement. Many of us spend a far too much time trying to make a mask fit that is incorrectly sized or just not the right one for our needs.
For example, if you are trying to get a FFM like the ResMed F30 to work for you and spend months dealing with leaks, possibly it is the wrong mask for you. However, if you would try another FFM like an F&P Evora you may find it works very well. That was me.
On the other hand, we sometimes give up too quickly and blame the mask when we have not adjusted or sized it correctly.
Masks are a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma. There are so many things that can go wrong we sometimes miss the bloody obvious.
RE: I have to CRANK down my full face mask to prevent leaking. What am I doing wrong? - srwilsn3 - 12-04-2023
All of this is so incredibly helpful.
Thank you to each of you. I will read the mask page and follow up.
RE: I have to CRANK down my full face mask to prevent leaking. What am I doing wrong? - Gideon - 12-05-2023
ROT Too tight causes leaks.
The most likely reason is the mask just doesn't fit you. You can blame that on Genetics, so it's your mother's and father's fault (not really)
Going to a smaller mask will help, nasal or pillow masks, The Mask Primer does address mouth breathing/leaks.
RE: I have to CRANK down my full face mask to prevent leaking. What am I doing wrong? - robbob2112 - 12-07-2023
Look at the mask primer linked earlier. Particularly the part near the bottom that says tighter is not always the answer
RE: I have to CRANK down my full face mask to prevent leaking. What am I doing wrong? - UnicornRider - 12-08-2023
(12-03-2023, 09:08 AM)Sleeprider Wrote: Read our Mask Primer wiki https://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php?title=Mask_Primer Generally if you cannot get a good seal with light pressure on the straps you need to reconsider the mask fit or model.
Yep.
What Sleeprider recommended.
Make sure you read through the entire page, many people give up before they get to "How to achieve the perfect mask fit - GUARANTEED! by Jeffy1958"
Jeffy ties everything you learn above that point together.
