How to fit your ResMed CPAP nasal mask | Resmed

How to fit your ResMed CPAP nasal mask | Resmed

With all CPAP masks, the most important goal is achieving a good seal and a comfortable fit, here describe in details on how to fit your ResMed CPAP nasal mask.

With all CPAP masks, the most important goal is achieving a good seal and a comfortable fit, your home care provider should determine the proper size of your equipment by using a measuring template, however, getting a truly proper fit will require a little trial and error with your equipment at home, we recommend you do this during the day in a place where you can lie down, just like you do when you sleep.

While sitting upright, hold the headgear in one hand and the nasal mask in the other, place the nasal mask over your nose, and pull the headgear over your head, connect the lower straps to the nasal mask by placing the loops over the hooks on either side of the nasal mask, remember a good fit is not necessarily a tight fit, the nasal mask should rest comfortably over your nose without causing unnecessary pressure, if you feel the nasal mask is pushing too hard against your face, the fit is too tight, if there is a space between the nasal mask and your face, the fit is too loose to adjust release the velcro on both sides of the lower strap at the same time, and pull to tighten or release to loosen.

Once the nasal mask feels comfortable against your face, reattach the velcro, the upper strap that attaches to the forehead support can also be adjusted in the same way, once you have a comfortable fit, turn your device on to begin delivering air pressure to the mask with the nasal mask, it is important to breathe only through your nose, if your mouth is open, you will experience a mouth leak, the device may try to adjust for that leak by increasing pressure, which will reduce the quality and effectiveness of your therapy.

The other leak you need to be aware of is a mask leak, if you feel air escaping around the seal between the nasal mask and your face, you have a mask leak, you may also hear the rush of air escaping around the nasal mask, if you notice air escaping, pull the nasal mask away from your face and reseed it, then adjust the headgear to get a proper seal, be aware that some air is always being released through the vents on the front of the nasal mask, you are looking for leaks between the nasal mask and your face, many patients tend to over tighten the straps in an attempt to get a perfect seal, remember the headgear should be comfortable while still helping to maintain a good seal between the nasal mask and your face.

Once you have a good seal and comfortable fit, it's time to lie down on the bed and recreate your normal sleeping positions, this very important step will help determine if the seal is likely to be broken while you sleep as you lie down and mimic your most comfortable sleep positions, check for leaks around the nasal mask, you should also be aware of the position of the hose, pay attention that the hose doesn't catch on part of the bed, a trapped hose might pull on the mask and cause a leak, you should also avoid lying on the hose, if airflow is even partially blocked, the device could malfunction and even shut down over time, you will learn to adjust the mask while in sleep, but getting a proper seal to start with will ensure your sleep won't be interrupted as often.