Ventilator masks

[Dazbazbez]

hi can anyone give me some advice please, my hubby has severe copd and retains carbon dioxide so the hospital has given us a nippy ventilator to use, he uses it through the night and a few hours during the day when he is very breathless , the problem is the masks they tend to get a small tear or split even though we handle them with care , the hospital provide them but say they are meant to be renewed once a year even though they have never refused us one i have looked into buying one but they come up at £156 each is there a generic version that is cheaper than the Resmed ones or can i just buy the mask without all the straps , Thank You.

[Ian1967]

Hi Dazbazbez, your hospital is talking absolute rubbish, I use BiPAP and oxygen at bedtime to treat Carbon Dioxide Retention and my BiPAP IPAP pressure is set at 28, with an EPAP pressure of 10.

I use it roughly 7 and a half hours at bedtime and 2 hours in the afternoon without oxygen whilst on my Computer, your mask as a whole should be replaced every 6 months, after that length of time the headgear (strap) will be really worn and disfigured, but your mask cushion will need replacing every 4 to 6 weeks, because as you say they become split or worn.

The cushion is the business end of the mask that is constantly in contact with your skin which produces natural oils which break down the Silicone or Foam cushions.

I actually replace my cushion every 4 weeks, because the pressure my BiPAP settings use mean after 4 weeks the cushion will no longer seal properly, this is despite me cleaning the cushion every day and soaking it in a mixture of baby shampoo, white vinegar and water every Sunday.

I order from the hospital two cushions every 6 weeks and a new mask every 5 months, so please don't feel intimidated by your husbands hospital, his health depends on his mask sealing properly to treat his condition.

I hope I have been some help.

Ian.

[airbusA346 in reply to Ian1967]

Ian, I'm guessing that you are using the Resmed AirTouch F20 mask, because there is no way a mask with a silicone seal is only designed to last 4-6 weeks. They are designed to last at least 12 months.

A complete new mask every 5 months seems very wasteful too me.

[airbusA346]

Where are you getting those prices?

On Resmed's own online shop, a Resmed F20 (with silicone seal) is £125.00 (VAT Exempt).

[Ian1967]

Hi airbus346, my mask is AirFit F20 (silicone) and believe me, after 4 weeks at my Bilevel pressures it needs replacing, the silicone becomes less flexible and won't seal properly: resmed.com/en-us/sleep-apne...

As I said, I replace the full mask every 6 months, but I order a new one from the hospital after 5 months, to allow time for delivery.

The only parts of the mask that would last 12 months would be the mask frame and the QuietAir vent.

Ian.

[Simplrs12]

Hi there if they are resmed masks you can get them on Amazon for £49 each just the mask they come in small, medium, large hope this helps.

[Shortlungs]

What a lovely walk keep up the good work with your walks

[Shortlungs]

Sorry posted to wrong person