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To SleepingUgly and other Hybrid/Liberty users who are curious about the "scrunchies fix" for these masks:

I took pics to demonstrate how I loop scrunchies together in order to stabilize the nasal pillows on my Hybrid. WhiteBeard came up with this fix (viewtopic.php?p=280295#p280295), but I've amended it for myself, as I don't need the scrunchies on the sides. My version results in small terrycloth scrunchies that loop over the Christmas tree net clips and, when pulled upward, form an upside-down V over (around) my nose; I then catch both of those loops with another single scrunchy, then catch that one with another, and so on, until the string of scrunchies reaches the top strap on the headgear.

Here are the little scrunchies I use (found at the dollar store), next to a dime for size reference:


This is a little blurry, but I wanted a closeup to show the "knot." Here they are when they're looped together:


For purposes of illustrating the looping technique, I used larger "standard" hair ties. Here's step 1:


Step 2:


Step 3:


The result in this last photo is the same as the one in the second photo; this one just isn't pulled tight enough to form that nice "figure eight" you see above.

Hope that helps!

Thanks for the pics. It is so much easier to see things than having to figure it out with instructions -- at least for me.

Thanks, BB! So generous of you to go to the trouble of taking pictures and posting them! You use Christmas tree light clips?

Carol, I'm the same way. Much easier to "get" the concept visually.

SleepingUgly wrote:Thanks, BB! So generous of you to go to the trouble of taking pictures and posting them! You use Christmas tree light clips?

YW, SU. No problem. It was making me nuts trying to explain it (and doing a poor job), so pics were called for. Glad they helped.

And yes, Christmas tree light clips. These:



I just found them online (here: http://www.aachristmas.com/vpasp/shopdi ... .asp?id=88), but they're in a quantity of 500. I bought a box of 25 at Target for a couple of bucks last year. But since you might not be able to find them in a box of 25 now, if you want a couple pairs, PM me your mailing address and I'll throw them in an envelope so you can try 'em.

BleepingBeauty wrote:if you want a couple pairs, PM me your mailing address and I'll throw them in an envelope so you can try 'em.

I made the top strap tighter, and we'll see how it goes tonight. Thank you for your offer! I will keep that in mind if I can't manage to get the pillows to stay in. I am hoping it will be enough to do the trick!

I also found that top strap adjustment is critical; I've adjusted it several times.

Muse-Inc wrote:I also found that top strap adjustment is critical; I've adjusted it several times.

Muse, is the top strap pretty tight? Do you have to use any "fixes" or do the pillows stay in?

SleepingUgly wrote:...is the top strap pretty tight? Do you have to use any "fixes" or do the pillows stay in?

Not tight but snug enough that the pillows don't slide, the headgear is above my ears, and the oral cushion surrounds my mouth (it was sitting a bit too low in the beginning). However, I still need an extra pillow strap. I use 2 small covered ponytail scrunchies looped together a la BB's pics above (thanks BB!). Each loop goes inside the upper strap that attaches to the plastic shell to make another strap, this one goes in front of the mask on the outside of the pillows applying for me the ideal pressure to keep the pillows in place.

Thanks BB, for both pictures and link.

Are you using those Christmas light things? How is it attaching to the pillows?

Muse-Inc wrote:

SleepingUgly wrote:...is the top strap pretty tight? Do you have to use any "fixes" or do the pillows stay in?

Not tight but snug enough that the pillows don't slide, the headgear is above my ears, and the oral cushion surrounds my mouth (it was sitting a bit too low in the beginning). However, I still need an extra pillow strap. I use 2 small covered ponytail scrunchies looped together a la BB's pics above (thanks BB!). Each loop goes inside the upper strap that attaches to the plastic shell to make another strap, this one goes in front of the mask on the outside of the pillows applying for me the ideal pressure to keep the pillows in place.

@ SU: How'd it go last night? I don't think Muse uses the light clips. It sounds like she runs the looped scrunchies from one (upper, side) strap to the other, across the front of the base of the pillows. I hope Muse responds to confirm or correct my understanding.

@ ozij: My pleasure. With all the help I've received (and continue to receive) here, it makes me happy to be able to do my part and help someone else.

@ Muse: Post a pic!

BleepingBeauty wrote:@ SU: How'd it go last night? I don't think Muse uses the light clips. It sounds like she runs the looped scrunchies from one (upper, side) strap to the other, across the front of the base of the pillows. I hope Muse responds to confirm or correct my understanding.

Thanks for asking! I tightened the top strap and that lifted it away from my ears, solving that problem (yay!). Also the pillows stayed in somewhat better, although at one point I think they came out. I have a little red dot on the rim of one nostil that I hope won't turn into anything. I woke up many times, not sure why. Hope that improves! I think I'll do this one more night without "fixes" and see what happens. I cannot imagine how Rooster sleeps on his stomach, though! I would love that, but can't even imagine how the vents wouldn't get blocked (even if pantyhose kept the pillows in).

My husband was trying to help me with the mask and I kept shoving a printout of Rooster's Hybrid directions at him, saying, "Read what Rooster says!" Finally, he said, "Enough about the cock!"

You guys are great. Thanks so much! I'll keep you posted.

Muse, how does it stay on the pillows?

Muse-Inc wrote:

SleepingUgly wrote:...is the top strap pretty tight? Do you have to use any "fixes" or do the pillows stay in?

Not tight but snug enough that the pillows don't slide, the headgear is above my ears, and the oral cushion surrounds my mouth (it was sitting a bit too low in the beginning). However, I still need an extra pillow strap. I use 2 small covered ponytail scrunchies looped together a la BB's pics above (thanks BB!). Each loop goes inside the upper strap that attaches to the plastic shell to make another strap, this one goes in front of the mask on the outside of the pillows applying for me the ideal pressure to keep the pillows in place.

BB, guess what? Your elegant little fix earned you one of these:



As well as a place on the Lab Rat Awards page, in the Hybrid fixes section.

LINKS to Lab Rat Trophy awards
viewtopic.php?t=15104

Congrats!

I'm not sure if this is your first time using nasal pillows, SU, but I'll sas this anyway: many of use have irritated nostrils after fire using nasal pillows.

The trick it to let the irritation heal, keep it from becoming a pressure sore. Often one night's break is enough.

O.