The ResMed AirFit F40: A Restful Night In Your New CPAP Mask

Another new CPAP mask is now on the market, and this time, it’s part of the popular AirFit mask series by ResMed. In fact, the new AirFit F40 is the next full-face cpap mask to succeed the AirFit F30 (without top-of-head tubing.) Yet, it has so many of its own exciting features to try! That’s why we—Michelle Worley, Director of Clinical Operations & Registered Nurse included—just had to tell you about this product! Read on so you too can find excitement in this revolutionary ResMed CPAP mask.

We mentioned earlier that the ResMed AirFit F40 CPAP Mask is a full-face CPAP mask, hence the “F” in its name. Luckily, that means its features and benefits will vary from the competition. After all, the new Solo mask by Fisher & Paykel is a nasal CPAP mask. The two are entirely different types of masks and will ultimately help different CPAP users; like active sleepers or mouth breathers.

Jumping right into what makes the AirFit F40 mask so special, we want to first address AdaptiSeal technology. It’s a silicone cushion that conforms to your unique face shape, making air leaks less likely, regardless of whether or not you’re an active sleeper, and while also having fewer adjustment points to contend with.

ResMed themselves boast, “In an external clinical study of PAP patients using the Air Fit F40…

• “96% of surveyed patients said they had freedom to sleep in their preferred position and change positions through the night
• “100% of surveyed patients found it overall easy to use
• “The majority of surveyed patients said they felt confident continuing their sleep apnea therapy [thanks to AirFit F40]”

Finally, venting is still made available within the F40 CPAP mask, reducing the carbon dioxide you intake as well as the overall sound you may hear exhaling. That’s right; QuietAir technology hasn’t gone anywhere! This is especially important for female patients and bed partners, because women are theoretically more sensitive to noise being put out by sleep therapy equipment. Be kind to yourself (and/or your wife!)

A learning curve is to be expected the first time anyone interacts with a brand new CPAP mask, so here are 3 “how to’s” we put together regarding the ResMed AirFit F40, answering how to wear it, how to fit it, and how to clean it.

1. How To Wear The F40

Putting on the AirFit F40 is simple, especially with these step-by-step instructions Michelle carefully thought out with you in mind…

1. Remove the short-tube from ResMed’s classic  quick-release elbow while you situate yourself in the headgear.
2. Place the cushion over the mouth and under the nose while pulling the F40 headgear over the back of your head.
3. Secure the mask in place by using the magnetic clips on either side of the frame. Then, ResMed’s fully flexible frame adapts to you once it’s secure.

That’s all it takes to be in your CPAP mask for the night! Should you need to remove the mask for any reason during the night, just complete the same steps in the reverse order.

2. How To Size The F40

Soft silicone cushions have a little give…right? Less so with that AdapitSeal technology, but while the F40 cushion is designed for comfort, you don’t want your mask system compromised with air leaks for reasons outside of your control. There is still sizing to contend with in order to achieve a good seal.

How to size or how to fit the F40 mask cushion can be addressed a couple of different ways. As you may know, Aeroflow Sleep has some downloadable sizing guides available in the Printouts & Reading Materials section of our online Resource Center. You can print the document specific to the ResMed AirFit F40 to test your nose and mouth against each cushion size. AirFit F40 mask sizes come in small wide, medium, and large cushions. Meanwhile, small headgear, standard headgear, and large headgear sizes are available. 

Many still use the printable sizing guides, however it is a tad outdated… For sizing that’s a little more modern and—dare we say—accurate, Aeroflow Sleep also offers mask-fitting technology. Ask your dedicated Aeroflow Sleep Specialist about this service, and you’ll quickly discover that all we need is a selfie to determine your perfect fit, thanks to a fully automated AI-algorithm that maps your unique face shape.

PLEASE NOTE: Aeroflow Sleep does not yet have the ResMed AirFit F40 CPAP Mask as a fit result within our mask-fitting technology.

Yet, there is a third option. We understand that mistakes can be made, even by computers, so Aeroflow Sleep has a free 30-day mask swap guarantee. Try a different size or an entirely different CPAP mask within your first 30 days of ordering, as many times as you wish. We’ll ship the replacement right to your door.

3. How To Clean The F40

Be it the AirFit F40 or an old AirFit F20, cleaning an AirFit CPAP mask hasn’t really changed: wash your F40 mask, headgear, and tubing in warm water once a week. You may use Dawn or Ivory dish soap, but don’t forget to rinse those suds. Then, let the parts air dry completely before you use the CPAP mask again.

If you’ve recently been sick, you may increase the amount of washings to every other day. CPAP wipes and sanitizers may also be used on-the-go but should never replace regular cleanings.

Of course, there are pros and cons to every CPAP mask, and we would be remiss to not do a comparison between the old and new. But the AirFit F30 is even older than ResMed’s AirFit F30i, so why aren’t we doing a comparison about that? Well, there are three main reasons…

Firstly, the ResMed AirFit F30i Full-Face CPAP mask does come up with top-of-head tubing, which seems to be its main feature and benefit. Top-of-head tubing is exactly what it sounds like; the short tube port no longer exists at the front of the CPAP mask, and the airflow is pushed through the hollow headgear from a port at the top of your head. This is a great option for patients who don’t like the tube being right in their faces; like stomach sleepers.

If that mask actually sounds more intriguing, we totally understand, but that’s actually the second reason we didn’t include it here. Right now, Aeroflow Sleep patients are searching for more information about the AirFit F30; not the AirFit F30i. Write a review about the product you use or would like to learn more about; we’re listening and take your feedback into consideration. We just need that little “i” to give you the most accurate comparison you want!

And lastly, the third reason: ResMed manufactures a lot of medical devices! Their line of CPAP masks is vast and can be difficult to categorize by name alone. Obviously, that “i” getting dropped off is very easy, and it does matter. So, here’s a comprehensive user guide of most ResMed CPAP masks Aeroflow carriers (prior to the AirFit F40) for your convenience.

We’ll stick with ResMed’s AirFit F30 Full-Face CPAP Mask here though, since it is definitely more appropriate for an apples to apples comparison against the AirF40. Let’s get back to that with some quick and easy questions we’ve answered, looking at both the AirFit F30 and F40…

Is The ResMed AirFit F40 Compatible With All Machines?

ResMed masks are compatible with all CPAP, APAP, and BiPAP machines; including ResMed AirSense and AirCurve models, even the newer AirCurve 11. However, the AirFit F40 cannot be used with the ResMed AirMini, which is a travel CPAP machine, but the AirFit F30 can.

Are ResMed CPAP Devices Recalled?

Another dampener to the ResMed AirFit F40 is that its headgear and mask frame system still connect via magnetic clips. This was once an amazing solution to poorly-fitting velcro straps, but the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recently acknowledged the voluntary mask recall ResMed issued for magnetic products. The recall addresses how CPAP users (even their bed partners) with metal in the body—i.e. pacemakers, metallic implants, some dentures, even contact lenses—might injure themselves from the magnets.

So, why did they stick around? When asked about the choice to keep the magnetic clips on the headgear, ResMed staff admitted that the percentage of CPAP users who should avoid magnets is so few that it did not outweigh the needs of the common sleep apnea patient; one need being accessibility, or the ease of removal for those patients with a limited range of motion.

What Is The Best CPAP Mask For Sinus Problems?

The ResMed AirFit F30 CPAP Mask still holds the title for best CPAP mask for sinus problems. It’s possible that just how new the AirFit F40 is hasn’t put it on the map as a contender for combatting sinus problems, so we’ll continue to recommend most any full-face CPAP mask option for patients with deviated septums, COPD, and other respiratory illnesses. The same goes for mouth breathers!

How often you should replace your ResMed AirFit F40 Full-Face CPAP Mask parts is no different than any other CPAP mask.

• Replace your full-face mask cushion once a month
• Replace your CPAP mask frame every 3 months
• Replace your headgear every 6 months

Parts and accessories that are connected to the CPAP mask—such as your tubing or a chin strap—will also have to be replaced.

To see Aeroflow Sleep’s recommended replacement schedule, click here.

Purchasing the ResMed AirFit F40 Full-Face CPAP Mask outright may not be in your best interest, especially now that you know how often you need to replace your parts. Instead, try Aeroflow Sleep! We carry the newest masks, machines, and PAP supplies integral to your sleep therapy, and we work hard to get them all covered up to 100% through your private health insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid. Sign up now to see if you qualify!

References

Two ResMed external clinical studies of experienced PAP patients. The first study included users with ≥ 6 months’ therapy who used ResMed’s AirFit F40 and AirFit F20 full face masks in randomized order for up to seven consecutive nights each at home. Study conducted in Australia, June 6 – 27, 2023, n=28 (AirFit F40) and 29 (AirFit F20). Facial measurements of 29 participants were taken. The second study included current users with ≥ 12 months’ PAP therapy who met 90-day CMS compliance for PAP therapy in the three months prior to the study. Participants used ResMed’s AirFit F40 and Fisher & Paykel’s Evora Full in a randomized order with their own for up to seven consecutive nights each at home. Study conducted in the U.S., October 4 – November 20, 2023, n=57. Facial measurements of 57 participants were taken. https://www.resmed.com/en-us/healthcare-professional/products-and-support/masks/airfit-f40/ 

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