Headrest/Aura--decapitations, modifications Question

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 8:03 pm

So I just got my first headrest today. I'm letting it off-gas and not using it right away because it is pretty smelly. I've been trying to read-up and understand some of these old posts about decapitating and otherwise modifying the mask, but I'm thoroughly confused. It seems like I'm missing huge parts of conversations and the Headrest I just got looks different that the ones in the pictures I'm seeing in these old posts.

So my questions are,

Has the manufacturer made improvements that make these modifications unnecessary?

Why are you decapitating Headrests and what parts are being cut off?

Do any modifications get rid of the rubbery headgear that feels like it could rip my hair out each morning?

I look forward to trying this mask because I have heard such good things about it. I'm just trying to get a fuller picture of the history and how people have been using it.

Jen

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 8:28 pm

No.

To remove the headgear ... Everything but the hose and pillow asembly.

Yes.

Before you decapitate it ... you may want to try it as is. You may find it too noisy and decide to sell or trade it in which case un-decaptated would suit that purpose better.

Best-o-luck with it nonetheless.

Gerald · Post by **Gerald** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 9:42 pm

Jen......

I haven't decapitated mine....I like it as-is.....with a few modifications like a pad (to make it more comfortable on my nearly-hairless head).

There are some tricks you can play with the nose-piece.....like bending the interior wire reinforcement....so that the fit to the nares is better.

Gerald

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:17 am

Congratulations!!!.

Soak the seal in warm soapy water for about 30-45 mins of you want to get rid of more of the plastic smell.

I used mine for almost 2 years before decapitating it. The headgear didn't tear my hair off, but it was slippery. I put a thick tennis sock between it and my head and that made it better.

Decapitation (the safer way...):
Gently disconnect the tube from the clear plastic piece that holds the seal, and has the vents. It isn't glued on, and gentle manipulation (the "hose disconnect wiggle", not pulling) will do it.

Pull the now disconnected tube backward until it's free of the headgear

Put the tube away in a safe place.

Take a pair of garden scissors and snip the "seal holder" away from the headgear, as close as you can to the upper arc. You now have the whole rubber headgear disconnected from the seal holder.

Do whatever you want with the headgear...

Reconnect the tube to the seal holder, and connect the seal - and that's your mask. You have to find a way of tying it to your face, and this is where the pantyhose straps come in, and something to push the mask away from your forehead.

Play around - eventually you'll find whats best for you - remember you can move the seal holder up and down along those vertical tracks.

The result is the lightest mask you can imagine - and for me better sealing as well.

I used to alternate with the Breeze, but haven't done so since decapitating the Headrest...

And I was surprised and happy to discover that I could leave my cheeks untouched by anything by using two horizontal pantyhose straps: the middle of one is tied to the bottom arc, and I place the other one just below the vent piece, you can make sure it doesn't slip upwards on the vent.

You can also change the curve of the seal itself by pushing (or pulling) on the two metal pieces.

Enjoy!
O.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 1:25 am

LINKS to HeadRest nasal pillows mask topics (same mask has had other names: Aeiomed Aura, then Headrest, then Invacare Twilight NP, then back to Headrest again.)
viewtopic.php?t=3098

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 2:06 pm

Thanks everyone--I finally GET IT! I have been reading references so decapitated Headrests and pantyhose and i finally understand why and how you all are doing it. I will try it as is, but at this point, having gone thru nearly every mask on the market, I am not afraid to try decapitation!

I do so appreciate you guys clueing me in, there were just a few details I hadn't encountered. I'm going to print out some of this stuff for reference now!

jen

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 2:10 pm

Oh, Shoot!

One more quick question:

In the picture, Linda has her tights covering/supporting the pillows. I know there are exhalation ports up at the top of the piece--but mine also seems to have two right under the actual pillows themselves and they would be covered by the tights. Am I seeing things, or is this something new?

Jen

Catnapper · Post by **Catnapper** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 4:18 pm

The places you see under the pillows are not exhalation ports. They just look like it. I don't know what they are. Probably just manufacturing marks of some kind.

I worried about them too at first.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 4:42 pm

Catnapper's right. The only vent on the Headrest mask is the one up above eye level. The two little circles under the pillows are not holes.

packer · Post by **packer** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 5:27 pm

I was going to fix mine when I first got it- but tried it first-
it still is in original condition and works well

my theory is it works for me because I dont have hair issues and have a large head size

so- it might not work for you - but it might

biggest problem with me is the rain

good luck-- hope it works for you packer

goose · Post by **goose** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 7:09 pm

My Headrest is pretty much stock.
I did add one of Geralds velcro modifications at the top to pull the lower section tighter (don't know what to call it).....I think I have his pictures filed here somewhere.....

I reallllllly like the mask --
One issue I've had is the slippage of the rear lower head band piece (rubber kind of sucks too, but.....). I think I read in one of the threads that someone put some Velcro (hook side) on the inside of the lower rear headband so that it would hook the hair and not slip -- My hair is too short for that to work, and if I had longer hair, I'm not all that sure I'd want Velcro hooking it .....just me.

My leak rate still seems to be a bit high and the graph shows it all over the place but it is very consistent at about 33. I tried the poligrip strips to see if I was mouth leaking but the numbers are the same (I didn't think I was mouth leaking, but needed to eliminate it as a cause).
I do notice some leakage at the swivel joint at the top where the hose fits in, and the pillows don't completely seal my nares all the time (at the "top"/front). I've used the greases (Lanolin, KY, etc.) and it only makes the leaking worse around the nares......I'm using the large pillows.
Also, it is a bit noisy. It doesn't bother me because I generally wear earplugs anyway (wife snores like a chain saw)....

I'll have to take a look at the decapitation process so when I get a new one, I can "play" with the old one.
All of that said, I do like the mask a lot!!!!

cheers
goose

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 7:33 pm

goose wrote:the pillows don't completely seal my nares all the time (at the "top"/front).

That's what a homemade strap like... (drum roll)...the leg cut off a pair of pantyhose tights fixes.

Even when using the headgear intact, the nasal pillows (any size) leak like crazy for me...until I put that extra strap across them. Doesn't have to be on tight. Just needs to be there to cradle the pillows a bit. Makes all the difference in the world. Makes what would be an unusable mask into my favorite of all time.

Ways to route one or two homemade straps to steady nasal pillows masks:

roster · Post by **roster** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 7:44 pm

rested gal wrote:.......That's what a homemade strap like... (drum roll)...the leg cut off a pair of pantyhose tights fixes.

.......

I told my wife to get me an old clean pair of pantyhose tights to experiment with. She told me she had never heard of pantyhose tights. Are we just talking about pantyhose? Is there a spec? .

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 8:11 pm

rooster wrote:Are we just talking about pantyhose?

Almost. Not quite. Tights are a little thicker material than what's in regular pantyhose. A strap using tights would stay wider. Not be as apt to roll into a thin tube when pulled. Tights material is also a little grippier -- not as likely to slide.

http://www.nononsense.com/Tights.aspx

rooster wrote:Is there a spec?

Well, on that page, the Cotton Blend Tights would probably do nicely. I like cotton. Wouldn't have to be those exact percentages. Or even those exact "ingredients." Does need to be "tights", though.

Cotton Blend Tights
Talk about love... Spandex yarns combined with nylon and cotton make these soft and comfortable tights look and feel great. These tights are a true classic.

* Classic opaque tights
* Soft feel and durable

Product Content:
51% nylon, 40% cotton, 9% spandex

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 8:32 pm

Ahhh... it's about the "denier"!!!

"The difference between pantyhose and tights is determined in the weight of the yarn used and the thickess to which the garment is knitted. Generally, anything up to 40 denier would be known as pantyhose and anything over can be classified as tights."

Here's a link to the history of "tights" LOL!!

Headrest/Aura--decapitations, modifications Question

Headrest/Aura--decapitations, modifications Question

exhalation ports

try it out for a few days "out the box"