Bravo and NasalAire III test drive - questions

onecoknower · Post by **onecoknower** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 3:54 pm

Hello, I'm test-driving the Bravo and NasalAire III (thanks, Babette!)

Here's my feedback and questions.
Bravo - I like the canulas, except they are "aimed" wrong for me - they fit OK with I'm sitting up, but when I lie down, they leak. I went a size larger and the same thing happens, but when I pinch the canulas together they seal wonderfully. I can't sleep and pinch at the same time.

NasalAire III - I like the design, but the petite nosepiece is too big for my nostrils. And I don't like that the hose goes down my front rather than over my head.

Any thoughts on how to make the Bravo work better for me?
Thanks,
Oneco

Sleepdeprived · Post by **Sleepdeprived** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 5:00 pm

[quote="onecoknower"]Hello, I'm test-driving the Bravo and NasalAire III (thanks, Babette!)

Here's my feedback and questions.
Bravo - I like the canulas, except they are "aimed" wrong for me - they fit OK with I'm sitting up, but when I lie down, they leak. I went a size larger and the same thing happens, but when I pinch the canulas together they seal wonderfully. I can't sleep and pinch at the same time.

NasalAire III - I like the design, but the petite nosepiece is too big for my nostrils. And I don't like that the hose goes down my front rather than over my head.

Any thoughts on how to make the Bravo work better for me?
Thanks,
Oneco

Hi yes

Take the bravo tubes

Insert them into the NA II cannula

Use Na II headgear

and connect the tubes to the NA headgear pony tale style

The connection will then be on the back/top of your head

and you can sleep anyway you like

Works great

I use it that way and get great therapy

Far better than I ever got from just the Bravo

Sleepdeprived

BadBreath · Post by **BadBreath** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 6:30 pm

The Bravo pillows are very dependent on the correct orientation in the cannula. The connecting strip holds them about at the angle they should be to each other, but it might not be right for you. Look at the angle your nares make to each other and try to match that angle between the oval openings on the pillows. You may have to cut off the connecting strip to get the angle you need.

Secondly it is dependent on the angle of the tubes as they travel up the side of your face and the amount of pull on each side. The included headgear controls the angle but you can adjust the tension on the tubes slightly by pulling them through the velcro loops in either direction. A different headgear would give you more options as to the angle and tension of the tubes. The NAII headgear is good, or an elastic headband with velcro loops placed at different locations closer to or farther away from the front of your ears.

Lastly, the NAII prongs are the most consistent at maintaining a seal of anything I have tried. They should "fill" each nostril and then seat just inside your nares. It will seem uncomfortable at first, with some soreness for the first few days, but you will adjust and it would be well worth the effort.

Good luck

onecoknower · Post by **onecoknower** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 2:29 pm

Last night I tried to use the Bravo hose with the NasalAire cannulas - major leakage! I'll keep messing with it for a few more days, so any other suggestions would be welcomed...

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 6:56 pm

You really need to FORCE the NAII cannulas in. If it slides in easily, go a size larger. I have to fold them to get them in. You may THINK the cannula is too big, but trust me, you'll get leakage if you go with what you THINK is the right size.

Try the NAII with the hose going over your head, and a size larger cannula. That Petite is very unweildy.

Cheers,
Barbara

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 7:01 pm

Ditto what BadBreath said. Of course, I believe everything BadBreath says.... (Where's that emoticon that bats her eyelashes and sways her hips?)

I've found I get the best seal with attaching the NAII hoses directly to my chin strap, then pulling the hoses up tight, so my nose is actually pulled up a little. It works for me. Might not be YOUR position of choice. My nose is very soft and flexible and if I'm not firm with it, I get leakage.

See the tip sheet for some ideas of how to arrange the NAII headgear to make it work for you:

viewtopic/t23207/Babettes-Nasal-Aire-II-Tip-Sheet.html

I have to use the figure eight loop at the top, and just push it down till it's tight on the crown of my head. It's not attached to the chinstraps, only to the hoses, so it moves around. It works best for me if my hoses are tight. I pull them up tight, push the figure 8 down, and I'm good to go. Until I rollover. Then I repeat.

I still fiddle with this mask. But I get better sleep, and better daytime response than with any other mask.

Cheers,
Barbara

BadBreath · Post by **BadBreath** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 9:42 pm

Of course, I believe everything BadBreath says.... (Where's that emoticon that bats her eyelashes and sways her hips?)

Oh, my! This must be the internet, because in the real world no woman believes anything I say. My next step in my sleep work is going to be developing "lucid dreaming". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucid_dream I can already imagine who I'm going to meet there!

My nose is very soft and flexible...

Where's the emoticom that wiggles her soft little nose and makes all my dreams come true?

Oh, well...

At the risk of becoming known as "the ball cap guy" (which I guess is better than being known as "the pantyhose guy"...all respect to Rested Gal) I created a ball cap headgear for my NAII/Bravo. It is the simplest and most effective yet, and lends itself well to a visor, as you don't want to anchor the tubes on the top of your head because it creates kinks that block the air. As usual the brim acts as a very stable platform and allows easy adjustment to the amount of tension on the tubes.

Items needed:

NAII cannula/prong section

Bravo tube assembly with the swivel elbows

One size fits all ball cap or visor with velcro or elastic headband

Step one:
Drill two 1/2" diameter holes 4" apart in line with the front edge of the cap where it meets the bill.

Step two:
Insert the Bravo tubes (without the elbows) through the two holes from above. It will be a tight fit, which is necessary for adjusting tesion on the tubes.

Step three:
Attach the elbows to the end of the tubes facing inward.

Step four:
Attach the NAII prongs to the elbows.

Step four:
Put on the hat and pull up on the tubes until the prongs are up to and into your nostrils. Note that the pressure is actually pushing up the end of my nose, just like Babette says.

Comfortable and extremely effective at keeping the prongs in place.

And I just found a cap made by Adidas with their "ClimaCool" ventilated material with moisture wicking headband that I think is going to be very cool on the head at night. http://www.shopadidas.com/product/index ... h&colorId=

Also comes in a visor. Might be just what Babette ordered!

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 9:50 pm

Yeah, that's definitely the tension I'm trying for. I have to wear the chinstrap anyway, so hooking it to the chinstrap was a natural.

Nice soft squishy nose action, BadBreath!

My dad used to call us kids "hard nosed" when we were stubborn about something. Nobody calls me that now!

Okay, just because it's a full moon this week... Go research lucid dreaming, and mix that with tantric sex.

Yee HAW!
B.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 12:06 am

... Go research lucid dreaming, and mix that with tantric sex

Funny that the book I looked at claims "Solve problems! Gain greater confidence! Improve creativity! Face and overcome fears and inhibitions! Create a new sense of empowerment and liberation in your life!", but the article I read said most people who dream lucidly use it for sex.

One guy said he just has sex with the first woman he sees in a dream. So my secret is out. I don't care about the health benefits of CPAP, I just want my REM sleep!

I guess all of you who use KY Jelly instead of AyrGel have a head start!

Excuse me but I'm going to bed now...

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 7:03 am

Does lucid dreaming + tantric sex = lurid dreaming?

Not to interrupt the developing thread...just going back to the original problem...maybe a strip of paper tape across the pillows and end of nose-that helps support the pillows. People tape their mouths-why not tape the pillows in place.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 9:51 am

Some people use rubber bands and twist ties, too, to bring the pillows in closer alignment.

Cheers,
B.

Bravo and NasalAire III test drive - questions

Bravo and NasalAire III test drive - questions

Re: Bravo and NasalAire III test drive - questions