Making My Own Chinstrap

[Babette]

Okay, I'm still in the "must look at websites" phase of the "Make My Own Chinstrap" project.

Just saw something I had to share, though:

http://www.rei.com/product/697116

This is a cap that's designed to keep your head cool under a bike helmet. I think it would work great as a chinstrap base. Take a basic design chinstrap, and attach it to this cap.

This is the chinstrap I have in mind:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/cpap.c ... Style.html

Instead of just running it over your head, velcro it to the cap. In my case, I found that single strap would not stay stable on my slippery hair. I needed more anchorage. I think this cool-max cap would be a great idea.

I got the idea from this guy:
http://www.sleep-cap.com/

If I lived in Australia, I'd probably just buy one of his, but I can't see buying one for that price, then shipping too.

Anyway, still mulling. Just thought I'd toss that out there for someone who'se therapy has been more successful than mine so far, and thus has more energy to DO, rather than just CONTEMPLATE.

LOL,
B.

[samofny]

Have you looked at chinstraps from CPAP retailers?

https://www.cpap.com/simple-find-cpap-p ... -chinstrap

Sam

[Babette]

Hey Sam, welcome to the board!

Yes, I own several of them. If you search on my name, you'll see several threads I've posted about why I want to make my own chinstrap.

Boils down to I want a natural fiber touching my face, to prevent the current irritations. And I want to use the chinstrap as headgear for my NAII.

Cheers,
Barbara

[betty303]

I use the chin strap that samofny gave a link to. The smaller straps hold it all in place, but I rarely use them, because I find the strap sort of sticks to the headgear. And it keeps my headgear firmly in place too.

I find the strap too wide, however, especially under the chin. So I cut off two of the sections, then taped the edges with 3M's waterproof tape that I used to use to tape my mouth. It stretches like the strap, and is soft on the skin. It is a bit hotter if it is really hot in your room, but only 1/4 " touches your skin, and I don't find it too bad. I haven't tried washing it yet, and have only used a few times and the tape has held in place, but I think I will need to replace the tape after a wash.

[Babette]

I really like the design of my Tiara Topaz, but the neoprene is irritating my skin. The Breathewear Halo I just bought isn't as irritating, but it isn't staying put very well, either. I'm constantly futzing with it.

Cheers,
B.

[Guest]

Babette,

I applaud you for planning to make your own chin strap! I, too, am a self-reliant type, and I've recently been thinking of fashioning a single device that will address all my needs (and eliminate the layers I currently apply to my face and head).

I'm allergic to the silicone used in nasal and face masks, but manage to do OK with the Swift NP system. To avoid the marks it leaves on my cheeks, I've padded the headgear with cotton fleece and cotton batting. Under this I currently wear a simple white cotton chin strap and a black cotton eye mask, both secured to my head with elastic straps. (The eye mask prevents the exhaust from drying out my eyes and eliminates the need for a window shade on my skylight.)

In addition, I have always needed to cover my head when sleeping in the winter. So as winter approaches, I'll be designing a cap made of natural materials that secures the nasal pillows and airhose, avoids cheek dents, protects the eyes, keeps my mouth shut, prevents heat loss, and provides comfort. It will be a challenge, but I'll let you know if I succeed.

[Babette]

Hey, check out a fleece cap. That would work well for winter (and I'm thinking of doing that for winter, too), and you can attach velcro to it, and secure your chinstrap. What sort of mask are you using? I'm using my chinstrap as headgear, because the NAII works that way. I'm not sure how to eliminate a 4-point headgear, but you let us know if you figure it out!!!

Cheers,
Barbara

[TxDreamseeker]

This has probably been suggested, but why not make a cotton or muslin cover for your Topaz? Or, since you velcro the NA II to it, just cover the inside. You could use long stitches to hold it in place.

[Babette]

This has probably been suggested, but why not make a cotton or muslin cover for your Topaz? Or, since you velcro the NA II to it, just cover the inside. You could use long stitches to hold it in place.

Oh, I did that. It's not the best job, but if all else fails, I'll perfect that cover. I'd really like to make a natural fiber replacement for it, if possible. My face is so irritated already. It wants silk, not neoprene.

LOL,
B.

[TxDreamseeker]

Ok, lol, how about this for winter?

http://crochet.about.com/library/nmanhat1.htm

Just kidding. That Australian one looks simple to make. How about a ball cap with everything (including the bill) cut out but the band and the seams?
Looks like one to me.

[Babette]

I need to learn to crotchet first. BUT I LOVE IT!!!!

Yeah, in fact, I bought a light cotton ball cap this weekend to do just that with. I'm spending too much time chatting online and not enough time working on this project.

THIS IS WHAT MY FRIENDS CALL 'DOING A BARB'. When you talk a project to death, as opposed to CREATING ANYTHING.

LOL,
B.

[scenestealer]

I've thought about making my own chin strap too. The neoprene one I bought seems too stretchy, like I could quite easily open my mouth in my sleep, defeating the purpose.

Seems like with that bike cap, some cloth, and some velcro strips, you might be able to put it all together. I'll keep an eye on this thread, and if you have any success, might try the same myself!

[robbieh]

Oh Babs, when I saw those two caps... winter and summer I thought well, you could swim in them if they don't keep your mouth shut! I thought of you the other night when I woke up after apparently taking off my mask and hanging it neatly next to the bed. I woke up 4 hours later with the machine off and my mouth nicely taped shut! Does tape bother your skin too much? I switched to paper tape but boy howdy, I have trouble getting it off in the morning and feel like I am going to work with a tape resin goatee! If you scrub it too hard, your skin around your mouth makes you look like er well never mind.

[Guest]

Hey Robbie! Well, Jefe did say that tape you recommended was horribly irritating. Or was it JeffH? One of those guys...

Anyway, for YOU (Having a non-acne prone, NORMAL complexion), I would recommend NOT SCRUBBING YOUR FACE, and using an Oil Cleansing Method in the AM. When you wake up, pour a handful of oil into your hand, and saturate the tape with that. Leave it a minute or two, then gently pull the tape off. Re-oil your face, and gently massage the oil into the adhesive residue for a minute or so. Hop in the shower, do your thing, ignore your face until last, and then very gently wipe the oil and adhesive residue off your face while facing the shower spray. Try using your hands only for least irritation. If it doesn't work, VERY GENTLY wipe in a downward fashion only with a washcloth. Don't rub. Don't scrub. Don't go up and down or in circles.

If you need to clean the oil off your face further, use whatever cleanser you're using for your face right now. If you are thorough with your hands and the water, you shouldn't need to "wash" with cleanser, and you'll just feel "moist" and dewy and not have to put any moisturizer on.

My recommended oil of choice is straight Sunflower oil, found in the cooking oil section. Don't add anything, particularly Essential Oils. The reason is that you may not be able to tell if you are experiencing irritation from the PROCESS or from the EO. I didn't realize that I was experiencing EO irritation until last week. So, start with the straight oil, and see how you respond to that first.

Please report your results.

BTW - I've given up OCM as a cleansing method. It really is NOT good if you have acne prone skin. I will continue to use straight cooking oils for occasional extra moisturizing, but I haven't responded well to the inclusion of Essential Oils in the mixture.

Cheers,
Barbara