Mask type on Philips Dream Station

[Brit2020]

I have a Philips Dream Station auto cpap.   If l am using a Resmed Air Touch F20 do l leave the mask type at 0 on the machine?

[SarcasticDave94]

I believe that's the correct setting with the ResMed mask. Welcome to the Apnea Board.

[ragtopcircus]

I have a Philips Dream Station auto cpap.   If l am using a Resmed Air Touch F20 do l leave the mask type at 0 on the machine?

No, that is not the correct setting for ANY mask unless you just put the end of the hose directly in your mouth. The Respironics manual does recommend X0 for non-Respironics masks, but that is just to absolve themselves of responsibility.

For an F20, I suggest X1.

The mask type setting helps the machine compensate for the flow-dependent pressure drop of the mask. While the F20 cushion provides little restriction of course, there is still restriction in the elbow.

The mask setting has little effect when there is no airflow. It determines how the machine adjusts to maintain pressure as the flow rate changes.

If the mask setting is too low, you may feel the mask suck in toward your face when you inhale, especially if you take a deep breath, and push out when you exhale. It can also feel like breathing through a straw.

If the setting is too high, you feel feel a whoosh as you inhale. To see what I mean, you can try X5 just as an experiment. Don’t actually use that for sleeping though - it’s too much for just about any mask.

With the mask type set correctly, the mask won’t move much as you inhale and exhale, even breathing deeply.

[Brit2020]

Thank you, so would this setting apply to all non dreamwear mssks?  If not how do you know what settings?

[ragtopcircus]

Thank you, so would this setting apply to all non dreamwear mssks?  If not how do you know what settings?

There is no legitimate all mask setting. X1 is a reasonable starting point. From there, see my descriptions above. Some pillow masks MIGHT need X2, at least in the smallest size. If using a Z1 HME with an F20, I use X3.

Really, the best way to understand the effect of the mask setting is to just try the different settings during the day, and note what is feels like as you breathe a little heavily.

Personally, I find it very difficult to sleep with an F20 on X0. It sucks in when I inhale, pushes out when exhale, and sometimes the anti-asphyxiation valve pops. On X1, it is much more stable and quiet.