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    Your therapy basics

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    An overview of your therapy and equipment

    Your therapy system is most likely made up of a mask, tubing and therapy device.

    Take a look at your therapy system to see if you can identify all the parts.

    How therapy works

    Your device produces a regulated flow of pressurised air at a setting that suits your particular needs. This consistent flow of air keeps your airways open so that you don't stop breathing at night (or have an "apnea").

    The air travels through the tubing and is delivered to a mask that you wear around your nose or mouth, where you breathe it in.

    Setting yourself up for success

    Knowing what to do and what not to do when setting up your equipment can make all the difference to your treatment. Find out how to get the right setup. Setting up your equipment.

    Masks

    Most masks fall into one of these categories:

    • Nasal pillows (sit at your nostrils)
    • Nasal mask (covers your nose)
    • Full face mask (covers your mouth and nose)


    Can you identify which one you have?

    Finding the right mask for you

    Mask vents

    All vented masks are designed with a vent that allows some air to escape so that the carbon dioxide you exhale doesn't build up inside your mask and you do not breathe it back in.

    If you put your hand near the vent, you can feel the air flow. You should never block the vent in any way.

    Humidifiers

    Humidifiers help prevent some of the side effects sometimes associated with positive airway pressure therapy, such as:

    • a dry mouth or nose
    • a blocked nose
    • breathing through your mouth rather than your nose


    Humidifiers help by moistening and warming the air that's fed into your mask, so that it's more comfortable to breathe in. If you don't have a humidifier, talk to your ResMed accredited outlet about getting one.

    Learn about ResMed's H5i™ heated humidifier

    Tubing

    Tubing comes in different diameters and lengths, and may be heated or non-heated, depending on your system.

    Your tubing should make it easy for you to move around freely in your sleep. ResMed’s SlimLine™ tube is narrow and light, so gives you a lot of freedom to move.

    Heated tubing, like ResMed’s ClimateLine™, can make using a humidifier even more comfortable, because air is kept warm as it travels from the device to your mask.

    Your device filter

    Your device has a filter (usually located at the back of the device) that needs changing from time to time.

    Check your user guide for instructions on when and how to change the filter.

    SD card

    Your SD card stores details about your therapy usage, so that your doctor or ResMed accredited outlet can assess how your treatment is progressing.

    If you have an S9 device, your SD card is located just above the filter.

    For all other devices, please refer to your user guide or SD protective folder for instructions on how to insert and remove the SD card.

    • Teschler et al. Effect of mouth leak on effectiveness of nasal bilevel ventilator assistance and sleep architecture. Eur Respir J 1999