A Good
Seal!
The only Mask
Guide for those who have never worn a mask
before...yes we realize that if you have never
worn a mask the only thing on the internet to use is a
mask comparison, which doesn't help those who have never used a mask
before! We provide measurements you can make yourself before
you buy a mask on the internet.
We
have also rated each mask for
popularity or...if you would like more
information...
What mask is
best for me?
We are all different. We have
different facial structures. We know who we are! We know if we have
a big nose, a wide shallow nose a somewhat normal nose...but how do
we know if the mask is going to work with that face of ours! The
simple answer is that we really don't know until we try it.
Unfortunately, masks are not normally able to be returned
after you use open them. So up until now, you could only
guess what size you used and hopefully you got it right. I have
never understood how someone could sell a mask on the internet
without at least giving someone a basic guide as to what size
measurements the mask may work with. Mask comparisons are really
useless if you have never worn a mask...so take a look at the only
guide we know of on the internet to give you an educated
advantage!
Disclaimer....we have made our best
effort to use the product guides provided by the manufacturers of
these masks. We have measured each template as closely as
possible so you could use your own measurements. We are also
providing pictures of where you measure on your own face...now
having said that we realize that this is only a guide and we think a
good one but as we said in the beginning everyone is different and
we do not make any guarantees if you rely on these measurements that
your mask will work for you.
What types of masks
are there anyway?
Well, we think they can be
categorized as Traditional, Full
Face, New and or Innovative, and finally
Nasal Pillows. So lets first talk about Traditional
masks. A traditional mask is one that typically uses flexible
headgear that fits on our skull and holds the actual mask over our
nose. A traditional mask can be comfortable and has proven to
work for thousands of patients around the world. I personally use a
traditional mask and have come to really enjoy wearing it. For more information on Masks...
Why a
Traditional Mask as opposed to the others? A
traditional masks headgear is lightweight and typically
cool. The design of the mask allows you to roll from a back
position to your left or right side and even on your stomach and the
headgear allows flexibility so the mask retains a relatively good
seal. For more information on Traditional
Masks...
Why
would we choose a Full Face Mask? The main
reason we choose a Full Face Mask is that we may be mouth
breathers or use a bilevel or bipap machine or even a cpap machine
with higher pressures. It really depends on how tolerant you may be
to pressure, but once you get up to prescribed pressures of about
12cm, the pressure is getting up there. This may cause some of us to
breath out of our mouth instead of our nose...or it may not be
pressure at all. We may simply be mouth breathers. If you have a bed
partner simply ask them if your are a mouth breather or not. I am
sure they will be more than happy to tell you. If you are, your
choice may be a full face mask or you may want to consider a simple
chin strap with a traditional mask. Your other choices may be an
oral appliance that blows air exclusively in your mouth ( a good
choice for those with claustrophobic tendencies). For more info on Full Face
Masks...
New and Innovative
Masks
Ok, Nasal Pillows are new and
innovative but I have created a separate class for these masks
because of there popularity.
Why New
and Innovative? Why Not? The manufacturers are
always trying to outdo each other. I must say they are doing a
pretty good job of coming out with new products that the public
enjoys using. Typically, the headgear may vary, there may be no
headgear at all. It may be a simple strap around the back of the
head or none at all. Most websites include photos of the different
types of new and innovative masks out there. Are they any better
than the simple traditional mask? That depends entirely on you. You
may feel claustrophobic with a traditional or you may enjoy reading
yourself to sleep. Manufacturers have designs for this that may work
well from you. Some may simply look more comfortable to you. It may
just boil down to not wanting to muss your hairdo each night! Just
make sure you know what type you are before you go shopping! For more information on New and Innovative
Masks...
Nasal Pillows
anyone? Well, these seem to be a really good
solution for a lot of people. if you are a mouth breather you
may want to consider another mask unless you want to use a chinstrap
with this mask. These masks are designed to make a direct seal at
and in the nose. People either love them or they prefer something
else. You need to try to imagine something stuck in both
nostrils all night. If that thought does not bother you, this may be
your mask. Again they are very popular and depending on the
manufacturer you may be able to try both (Respironics
ComfortLite) Nasal Pillows and if they do not work for you, they
also come with nasal pillows. The advantage with nasal pillows is
that they can be arranged so as to be able to read easily at night
or if you are at all claustrophobic or just don't prefer to have
anything on your face or covering your mouth. Again it is really a
personal choice. Just make sure you know what type you are
before you go shopping! For more information on Nasal Pillow
Masks...
Ok, hopefully you know
what type of person you are by now and can make a reasonably
educated decision as to what kind of mask you prefer to wear, so
lets take a look at some measurements.....but
first
Lets Measure
the Nose...
1. First get a ruler or
tape measure with at least 1/8 inch increments on the ruler. For the
Traditional Face Mask, we will be
measuring the height from the point at the top of the nose where the
nose meets the forehead and the width of your nose at the widest
part of your nose. For a Full Face Mask
the height measurement will be from the top of the nose to the
midpoint or the lowpoint between your bottom lip and your chin...
Caution! measure the height with your mouth open or
breathing through your mouth while you measure, that is how you will
be sleeping if you breath through your mouth!
2. Try to get it as close as you can to the 1/8 inch
measurement.
3. Now that you have your
measurements add 1/4 inch to the Height and 1/4 in to the width
measurement.
4. With these
measurements you should be able to get a much better chance at the
proper fit than your best guess! Check
your measurements with the chart and the type of quality mask you
would like to try. Your Height and Width should be equal to or
slightly less than the posted measurements...the 1/4 inch we added
to your measurement should make sure the mask is large enough
without actually touching the side, top or bottom of your nose.
Caution! if either the height or width is more
than the posted measurements, go to the next larger
size.
Lets Find Our Mask
and its Rating!
Masks Rated 1 to 4 Stars with 4 being
best
ComfortFull Face Mask Rating
✩✩✩✩ Click here for more
info...
|
Respironics |
ComfortFull |
Length |
Width |
|
Small |
|
3 ¼
inches |
2 ¾
inches |
|
Medium |
|
3 5/8
inches |
3 3/8
inches |
|
Large |
|
4 ¼
inches |
2 ¾
inches |
ComfortGel Mask Rating
✩✩✩✩ Click here for more
info...
|
Respironics |
ComfortGel |
Length |
Width |
|
Petite |
|
1 3/8
inches |
1 ½
inches |
|
Small |
|
1 ¾
inches |
1 5/8
inches |
|
Medium |
|
1 7/8
inches |
1 7/8
inches |
|
Large |
|
2
inches |
1 2 ¼
inches |
ComfortClassic Mask Rating
✩ Click here for more
info...
|
Respironics |
Comfort
Classic |
Length |
Width |
|
Small |
|
2
inches |
1 ¾
inches |
|
Medium |
|
2 ¼
inches |
1 ¾
inches |
ComfortSelect Mask Rating
✩✩ Click here for more
info...
|
Respironics |
Comfort
Select |
Length |
Width |
|
Shallow
Wide |
|
1 ½
inches |
2
inches |
|
Small |
|
1 ¾
inches |
1 7/8
inches |
|
Medium |
|
2
inches |
1 7/8
inches |
ComfortLite Mask Rating
✩✩✩ Click here for more
info...
|
Respironics |
ComfortLite
Cushions |
Length |
Width |
|
Petite |
|
1 ¼
inches |
1 3/8
inches |
|
Small |
|
1 3/8
inches |
1 ½
inches |
|
Medium |
|
1 5/8
inches |
1 5/8
inches |
|
Large |
|
1 7/8
inches |
1 7/8
inches |
ComfortLite Nasal Pillows Rating
✩✩✩ Click here for more
info...
|
Respironics
|
ComfortLite
Nasal
Pillows |
Nasal opening
should
be no larger
than |
|
Size 1, 2,
3 |
|
Up to 3/8
inches |
|
Size
4-5 |
|
3/8 to ½
inches |
|
Size
5-6 |
|
½ to 5/8
inches |
ResMed UltraMirage Full Face Mask
Rating ✩✩✩✩ Click here for more
info...
|
ResMed |
UltraMirage Full Face
Mask |
Length |
Width |
|
Small |
|
3
7/8 |
2
3/8 |
|
Medium |
|
3
5/8 |
2
5/8 |
|
Large |
|
3
3/8 |
2
7/8 |
ResMed UltraMirage Mask Rating
✩✩ Click here for more
info...
|
ResMed |
UltraMirage
|
Length |
Width |
|
Shallow
Wide |
|
1
5/8 |
2
inches |
|
Shallow |
|
1
5/8 |
1
15/16” |
|
Standard |
|
1
3/4 |
1
11/16” |
|
Large |
|
1
7/8 |
1
¾” |
ResMed Activa Mask Rating
✩✩✩✩ Click here for more
info...
|
ResMed |
Activa |
Length |
Width |
|
Shallow |
|
1
11/16” |
1
15/16” |
|
Standard |
|
1 ¾”
|
1
11/16” |
|
Large |
|
| 
