Bravo arrived...happy, happy, joy, joy

motherall · Post by **motherall** » Wed May 23, 2007 7:42 pm

I think I'm going to love this one. Finally, head gear for a small head...top of head and back of head straps adjust on either side of midline so all is equal. No straps running over my eyes, nasal pillows like the Hybrid but very soft ( and sort of sticky). The side straps are behind my hair line and the top strap is actually on top of my head. What a great thing to have headgear fit. Will sleep with it tonight and report tomorrow. I'm sure I'll have a sore nose from the new pillows even with washing and soaking in in vinegar but that will go away in a few weeks. The Hybrid ate the skin on my face but this really only touches my nostrils. The pillow insert sort of stands out from my lip so there is minimal skin contact. If I have to wear a mask, this is the one for me. I hope it is as quiet as the Optilife (no noise at all) but so far, so good.

Xian · Post by **Xian** » Thu May 24, 2007 12:51 pm

So, how was it? I was looking at the picture of the Bravo and was wondering if this mask was OK for people who sleep on their sides (my case, obviously, at least when I go to sleep and when I wake up... who know if I am even in bed in between!!!).

I have a head too small for the Breeze, and the Comfortlite 2 really hurt my nares, after multiple trials and sizes, so this one might work for me... Otherwise, I migth try the famous Comfortlite/Breeze homemade hybrid...)

Thank you for your update.

Xian

new2 · Post by **new2** » Thu May 24, 2007 2:35 pm

When I first got my hybrid it gave me a sore spot on one side of my face. I think the old headgear had a lot to do with it. I was strapping it on too tight. The new thicker headgear allows me to wear it so much looser that I don't have that issue anymore.
They got it right with this Bravo. Can't wait to hear how you slept.

motherall · Post by **motherall** » Fri May 25, 2007 10:12 pm

After one night I'm still very pleased with this mask. I need to tweak some yet but had a very good night's sleep. It did make my nostrils sore but that was expected. There was no pressure on my upper lip, no strap marks and I was comfortable on my back and sides. I just left it in the under chin position but it does come with velcro loops to position over your head. The exhaust was very quiet except when the pillows got a little displaced. That's what I need to tweak but I don't anticipate any problems getting it to be silent. This is a great find for a small head and the best part is that the back strap actually sits on the back of my head, not on my neck or my forehead like some others did. So now my Optilife has dropped to second place in my favorites.

I also could not use the Comfortlite as it covered my eyes, the Mirage Vista also covered my face and pulled my hair at the nape of my neck, the Swift is good but I really like this one. What makes it so good for small heads is the setup of the straps and that they adjust in 2 directions instead of just snugging down and pulling a buckle to where it was never intended to be. I'm impressed.

Night two....still happy. Very sore under my nose but I forgot my Ayr gel last night. Silent night, good sleep. Will download my stats tomorrow but I expect my AHI to be good.

mecocosm · Post by **mecocosm** » Sat May 26, 2007 7:00 am

Motherall,

I read your posts about the Bravo on the other thread. You say that it is basically as silent as the Optilife. Unfortunately, I have no experience with Optilife, only with the Swift. How would you compare the noise level with the Swift?

Also, I noted what you said about being able to sidesleep with it because you can bend the soft barrel and it hugs the face. I sleep on my back and sides, so that is definitely good.

motherall · Post by **motherall** » Sun May 27, 2007 6:43 am

After one night I'm still very pleased with this mask. I need to tweak some yet but had a very good night's sleep. It did make my nostrils sore but that was expected. There was no pressure on my upper lip, no strap marks and I was comfortable on my back and sides. I just left it in the under chin position but it does come with velcro loops to position over your head. The exhaust was very quiet except when the pillows got a little displaced. That's what I need to tweak but I don't anticipate any problems getting it to be silent. This is a great find for a small head and the best part is that the back strap actually sits on the back of my head, not on my neck or my forehead like some others did. So now my Optilife has dropped to second place in my favorites.

I also could not use the Comfortlite as it covered my eyes, the Mirage Vista also covered my face and pulled my hair at the nape of my neck, the Swift is good but I really like this one. What makes it so good for small heads is the setup of the straps and that they adjust in 2 directions instead of just snugging down and pulling a buckle to where it was never intended to be. I'm impressed.

Night two....still happy. Very sore under my nose but I forgot my Ayr gel last night. Silent night, good sleep. Will download my stats tomorrow but I expect my AHI to be good.

Night four- I now have loosened the head straps and the nasal pillows stay put....virtual silence and no sore nose. AHI's have been 1.4, 1.6, 1.5--about the same as with the Optilife. I am still leaving the tubing hanging straight down clipped to my jammie top. I may experiment and try the tubes over my head just to see how that works. I'm not having any problems with the straight down mode since I never belly sleep. I did like the Swift over my head but then I was bothered by the hose hanging straight down with that one...would keep dislodging the nasal pillows when I turned from side to side.

new2 · Post by **new2** » Mon May 28, 2007 9:17 am

Below is a cut and paste from my one week update on the Bravo. Overall, I am very pleased with this little mask, but gave a few tips on how I think the Teleflex people could have made this fantastic little mask even better.

Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 10:06 am Post subject: Delete Spam

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi, Blarg
sorry for teasing you. I've been using the mask for about a week now because I cannot use my Hybrid until all the cankers in my mouth clear up.
I have to tell you that the Bravo is wonderful for sleeping on your stomach (so long as you turn your head to one side or another to breathe).The tubing does not kink and it's very soft . I manage not to lay on the tubing at all because of all the ways you can wear this little mask.
If I had to find fault anywhere, I would say that it wouldn't have hurt to have made the mask a little wider on the sides (since it is curved to the face and doesn't cause the pillows to pop out) which would have allowed the tubing to have been wider apart for giant hair like mine.But that is the only thing I could see that might have made the mask a tiny bit better. The same would be if the tubing were an inch longer. Still, it's light years more comfortable than my new swift II, although there are many similarities.

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Mon May 28, 2007 9:24 am

How is side sleeping with the Bravo? I'm a side sleeper, and the tube up the side makes me say "No no!" but maybe I'm wrong?

Cheers,
Barbara

mecocosm · Post by **mecocosm** » Mon May 28, 2007 3:33 pm

Take a look at the bottom left one of the 4 pictures on the Bravo web-site http://www.respcare.com/bravo/info.htm

To side sleep with the Bravo with the hose routed up, I would be doing that.

Junebug · Post by **Junebug** » Mon May 28, 2007 9:43 pm

new2 wrote:Still, it's light years more comfortable than my new swift II, although there are many similarities.

New2,
I'm deciding whether to get the Bravo or Swift II. How does the vent flow rate of the Bravo compare with the Swift II?

Emily

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 10:36 am

Use Coupon Code CXCPR4D and you'll receive $30.00 off of any order which includes a Bravo mask on http://www.cpapXchange.com

So, the Bravo price works out to only $79.

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 11:24 am

Hey Motherall, what's today's report on your Bravo? Still liking it?

Thanks much!
Barbara

mecocosm · Post by **mecocosm** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 12:01 pm

Anonymous wrote:Use Coupon Code CXCPR4D and you'll receive $30.00 off of any order which includes a Bravo mask on http://www.cpapXchange.com

So, the Bravo price works out to only $79.

Just ordered the Bravo mask for $79. Thanks, guest, for pointing out such a good deal. I noticed that our host now has lowered the price to $99 but still couldn't walk away from saving $20.

Will let everyone know if I like the Bravo.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 12:22 pm

mecocosm wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Use Coupon Code CXCPR4D and you'll receive $30.00 off of any order which includes a Bravo mask on http://www.cpapXchange.com

So, the Bravo price works out to only $79.
Just ordered the Bravo mask for $79. Thanks, guest, for pointing out such a good deal. I noticed that our host now has lowered the price to $99 but still couldn't walk away from saving $20.

Will let everyone know if I like the Bravo.

I wonder if our host would have matched the $79 price.

cpapguest · Post by **cpapguest** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 9:28 am

Last night, I used the Bravo for the first time on a claustrophobic patient who couldn’t tolerate the Comfort Select nasal mask. He tolerated it very well and maintained a good seal. We’ve asked North Atlantic Medical (the provider we mainly refer patients) to stock it.

Mask	Humidifier

Additional Comments: Cpap at 10 now, initially 12, then 14