Tips for SWIFT users!!

Thought I would bounce this back on the board and state how well this viewtopic.php?t=5965#p54055 great and simple fix is working! (in case I did the link wrong, it's the first tip of these many pages).

I SEWED velcro hook tape (the stiffer plasticy part) to the inside of my back strap on the Swift LT and it has totally eliminated that annoying slippage that causes the pillows to dislodge from my nostrils. Kudos to UFO who came up with that tip!



I thought this might be uncomfortable, but it's not at all, and I could move my head around on the pillow without any movement of the headgear. I had been using the elastic strap trip you'll find later on these pages, but that looked hideous and didn't work as well as the velcro.

Others suggested using sticky-back velcro and stapling it to the back strap for added security, but I suggest buying the thinnest, lightest velcro you can find that is NOT sticky on the back and using a machine to sew it on to the strap once you've determined the placement. I marked where the strap bends in proper fitting before removing the strap from the buckle to do the sewing, so that I could get exact placement.

If you use sticky back velcro to determine placement, it is very hard to sew in place by hand or machine and the sticky stuff ruins the needles. I, personally, would not want to use staples anywhere near my head or pillowcases
But sewing it on works great.

Thanks so much for this tip! I am a brand new cpap user and I have the Swift LT mask (I think!). I have figured out the hose issues but the mask riding up the back of my head and coming loose have been a real problem. I am going by the dollar store tonight to buy some velcro. I'm not having a problem with the pressures or with the comfort of the mask or even with managing the hose. My problem has been the back strap on my mask riding up the back of my head and causing the nasal pillows to dislodge. You may have just solved the biggest problem I am having with my new cpap! Thank you!

Bump again for those who PM'd me ! Thanks to Janknitz for her post, glad it helped you and nifty sewing! Looks custom made!

All the best,

Steve,
ufo13

And now how to secure the ultra-lightweight swift FX headgear:
My head is smaller than most (I wear a 'youth' bike helmet--I'm 4'11")
On me the back strap loops are about an inch further up above my ears than ResMed's photo.
The back strap lays across--not below the rounded part of the back of my skull, where it does NOT stay in any one place..
I have emailed res med, suggesting a smaller headgear option.
I do not expect an answer.
Instead, I have dug out the bobby pins.
I put part of my hair over the strap and then pin it down over the strap.
This holds it in place for 7-8 hours.
Just enough to make nice numbers.

Help I am confused. This thread seems to be about the SWIFT LT and not the Swift FX which I have though I am not sure. it was a bit equivocal because some people posting indicate they use the Swift FX, some refer to Swift LT and most just say SWIFT.

It would help (me) a lot if people would go back and edit their posts (or the first one ufo13) to indicate explicitly what mask is being discussed. One can get quite confused and spend (even waste) a lot of time following a red herring due to not understanding what equipment is being discussed. Thanks.

I have the SWIFT FX which seems to be my favorite mask ever. I have also used the Activa Mirage (which I use to take an occasional break from nasal pillows), Breeze Nasal Pillows (which I liked but was so cumbersome to travel with etc and blocked use of glasses in bed) and the Swift LT (which I just could not tolerate).

I think I've heard the generic Velcro called 'hook & loop' tape,
with the hard part (hook side) resembling a cockle burr and the soft (loop side) resembling curly fur.
I wish they'd call it fur side and burr side. That would be kind of cool.

liv2kite wrote:It would help (me) a lot if people would go back and edit their posts (or the first one ufo13) to indicate explicitly what mask is being discussed. One can get quite confused and spend (even waste) a lot of time following a red herring due to not understanding what equipment is being discussed. Thanks.

Many of these suggestions work for more than one version of the mask. I know that the velcro-in-the-back-strap trick works for the FX in addition to the LT shown above. Since the FX does not have a buckle in the center of the strap, only one piece of velcro is necessary.

I think that the O-ring-on-the-pillow trick will work for any version of the Swift.

Note that the original Swift has been discontinued. The Swift II, however, is available, and is very similar to the orginal design.

Will the Swift work with the PAPCAP +4? My issue with nasal pillows has always been that I smoosh my face into the pillow when I get down to a good sleep and turn the air flow into an air powered power washer; surprised it doesn't blow a hole through my nose. Then, of course, there is allergy season and the need for a full face mask to get through the night. I am starting to shy away from my Mirage Activa nose mask and leaning towards the Quattro which seems to give me a better seal through the night with face smooshing and all. But nothing beats those nasal pillows for comfort and I genuinely miss mine; will have to try your suggestion asap. I have purchased several nasal pillows and have yet to try them out. Thanks for taking the time to share!

ufo13-Guested!! wrote:Hi Everyone!

After being on CPAP for 11 yrs. and having tried just about every interface that came down the pike, I got the SWIFT for the first time about a year ago. It was the mask for me and I have since purchased 5. As Earl (Rock & Roll) says no mask is perfect. The only problem I've had with it and no it's not the noise or too much air exhaust etc. but I like others on this Forum have the mask and wear it comfortably snug, not tight at all, and it seals great but if you move around as most of us do, the back strap rides up during the night and you lose the seal, etc. )

I have that same problem with my Activa straps. ResMed should have made the vertical straps ADJUSTABLE. The smaller headset is less likely to have the top flip up, but the smaller gear makes the mask too tight. The larger set allows for a more comfortable mask fit, but the top circumferential is more likely to pop up.

If one uses a strip of velcro (the strip with hooks) then the strap can be gathered as an "S" and shortened.

ResMed needs to change their design and manufacture of these straps.

I am bumping this post again for those of you who PM'd me in the recent past. This is my post from Dec. 2005 and it is the first post of the 7 pages! Also on page 7, Janknitz was kind enough to list the actual "view-post" for anyone to keep for future reference---also her way of sewing the velcro is beautiful, for those of you who sew! Hope this helps the many of you who use all versions of the Swift up to the FX, it works for ALL of them!

Best wishes to all my friends on this forum, and Best wishes to ALL my fellow VETERANS on this special day----God Bless All Of You!

All the best!

Steve,
ufo13

Hi...
I bought a used machine and a bunch of accessories came along with it. Among which was a: Swift ll frame (part 60527) and headgear (part 60526)

If anyone uses this style pillow...PM me. I'd just as soon give both to the same person so I don't have to package and pay shipping twice.
Jamis

EDIT: found a home for this stuff so it's gone

Bump for Suetois (post 66) to read ref: Mask slipping!

All the best!

Steve,
ufo13

inportsmouthva:

Here is the post I referenced to in answering you in the other post!

Steve,
ufo13

I am bumping this old post of mine for BostonGal and others who are having the back strap riding up on the Aloha pillows mask. This fix has worked very well for many of us for years on the Swift line of masks and it works just as well for the Aloha which I am using now with very good results!

All the best!

Steve,
ufo13

I am bumping this old post of mine to answer those who PM'd me! Yes my velcro fix will work just as well for the Aloha mask as it did for the Swift line of masks, and yes I am still using this fix on my Aloha! It is the first post in this long line of posts!

All the best!
Steve,
ufo13