Women: Please help me design a female-oriented PAP-Cap

[SleepGuy]

I am working on developing a more female-oriented PAP-Cap and would really appreciate some feedback. Helpful comments will be rewarded--special discount coupon codes, demo product samples, free product--and many thanks.

Some issues I am considering:

1. Fabric Color: lavender colored solid print?

2. Hair Management: The current design allows for long hair to be fed out of the cap, beneath the "tail" and the backstraps locking below the hair. How is does this work? Is a ponytail recommended or does that create an uncomfortable knot? Does your hair get tangled in the Velcro straps? Design recommendations?

3. Would a hair net be helpful, such as this (without the bow): http://www.horsetackinternational.com/i ... -black.JPG

4. Instructions: Are there any special tips / tricks that should be passed on to women?

5. Anything else that might make the product more useful for women--especially in light of the negative experiences

Or the 164 things that never occurred to me, being a dumb guy!

Several months ago I saw a news piece featuring the utter personal devastation experienced by many women upon receiving the CPAP Life Sentence--I would love to be able to use the PAP-Cap to give women a sense of dignity, femininity, and style....

Thanks!

[KatieW]

1. Fabric Color: lavender colored solid print?

Just to clarify--are you meaning 2 choices: ie. 1. solid (=one solid color of lavender), and 2. print (a design, with the primary color being lavender). Personally I prefer a print (like theVoyager print) to a solid color (like the solid blue).


2. Hair Management:

I have short hair, so this is not an issue for me.

The bottom straps were too long though, and when I adjusted to the correct length, I lost the benefit of the stretch in the strap. So I replaced your straps with the straps from my Activa Lt.

4. Instructions: Are there any special tips / tricks that should be passed on to women?

I found the straps need to be crossed-over higher on the back of the skull, so they will come around just under the ear lobes. They were rubbing, so I made little flannel strap covers, which were soft, lightweight, and not bulky.

5. Anything else that might make the product more useful for women--especially in light of the negative experiences

You might consider using pre-shrunken cotton fabric. Mine did shrink a little, even though I hand-washed and air-dried it.

Or the 164 things that never occurred to me, being a dumb guy!

I think it's a brilliant design, and is much superior to headgear I've used, which tends to be too big for my head. Thank you!

[ozij]

I'm not sure this is what you mean Brett but:
Years ago I bought an anatomy for artists book, and learned from it that women's heads have a different shape than men's. If you take that into account, the papcap may fit better - and that may help a lot of other things.

Remember when they only made one gender running shoes?

O.

[sleepycarol]

I am working on developing a more female-oriented PAP-Cap and would really appreciate some feedback. Helpful comments will be rewarded--special discount coupon codes, demo product samples, free product--and many thanks.

Some issues I am considering:

1. Fabric Color: lavender colored solid print?

What about us that do not like the color lavender? Why not some pastel colors or pastel prints? I think an uplifting color design would be great.

2. Hair Management: The current design allows for long hair to be fed out of the cap, beneath the "tail" and the backstraps locking below the hair. How is does this work? Is a ponytail recommended or does that create an uncomfortable knot? Does your hair get tangled in the Velcro straps? Design recommendations?

I have short hair. I find that head gear slips and slides around and unsure if it is the length of my hair or the texture. I wonder if one could attach some of the stuff they use to keep dishes from sliding around or carpet would help that situations some? Anyone have thoughts about that? I do not like the velcro "fix" that some have used since my hair tends to tangle in it and it can be tricky to untangle since it is always at the back of my head (this is from regular headgear).

3. Would a hair net be helpful, such as this (without the bow): http://www.horsetackinternational.com/i ... -black.JPG

Since my hair is short this doesn't really apply to me.

4. Instructions: Are there any special tips / tricks that should be passed on to women?

I have not used Bret's cap. So am not going to add anything at this point here.

5. Anything else that might make the product more useful for women--especially in light of the negative experiences

Bret, -- A thought I would love it if you would design a model for the headrest!! I bet you would have a loyal following if you did!!
Or the 164 things that never occurred to me, being a dumb guy!

Several months ago I saw a news piece featuring the utter personal devastation experienced by many women upon receiving the CPAP Life Sentence--I would love to be able to use the PAP-Cap to give women a sense of dignity, femininity, and style....

Thanks!

[Slinky]

I would think a heavy hair net type of material. I don't mind my hair being pressed down all night. I can just use a pick in the morning to lift it again.

And a way to avoid the mask headgear pushing the chin/jaw backwards as so many full face mask headgear do - and some chin straps do as well. This would be beneficial for men as well as women.

[Babette]

I prefer a stretchy chin strap. But I also have sensitive skin. Lining the strap with silk as an "upgrade" option might be an idea. I recently asked Padacheek to design a silk chinstrap cover that is working well for me.

I didn't like the full head coverage of the Pap Cap design. It just felt too confining. Is there a way to make it more open? Like a criss-cross of small straps?

What about making the entire thing out of a stretchy material, instead of woven?

Just musing. I'm of the opinion that no one thing will work for everyone. I'm just glad this is an option for those that it does work for.

Good luck!!!!!
Barbara

[carbonman]

SG, I like the idea of the netting.

Maybe you could make a cap that has the regular cotton
material for the base and the net material for the
top or crown of the cap. Could solve the problem
that they are too hot in the summer.

This is a uni-sex suggestion.....no hi-jack.

[DreamOn]

I currently have the Voyager print PAPCap Plus. Love it! I just ordered some additional Pad A Cheek items to coordinate with that, so if you come out with another print design (which I will certainly have to have because a girl can't have too many accessories to match her mood!) then I'll have to get new coordinating items. I'm goin' broke here, but my comfort is worth it!

1. Fabric Color: lavender colored solid print?

I much prefer prints. I do like lavender and light blues. Hate pink myself. I also like wild, bold-colored prints too--colors and patterns that spice things up a little and make CPAP feel more "exciting"! That may appeal to guys too.

2. Hair Management: The current design allows for long hair to be fed out of the cap, beneath the "tail" and the backstraps locking below the hair. How is does this work? Is a ponytail recommended or does that create an uncomfortable knot? Does your hair get tangled in the Velcro straps? Design recommendations?

My hair is very short, so no problem with it getting caught in the Velcro straps.

3. Would a hair net be helpful, such as this (without the bow): http://www.horsetackinternational.com/i ... -black.JPG

Doesn't apply to me, since my hair's short.

4. Instructions: Are there any special tips / tricks that should be passed on to women?

This isn't gender specific, but it took me a while to figure out the best way to secure the wraparound bottom straps onto my mask. There may be an easier way (!), but what I do now is put the cap on, secure the chinstrap, then hold the mask up to my face and feed the bottom wraparound straps through the buckles, securing them very loosely so they won't fall out. Then I secure the top Velcro mask straps to the cap and then go back and tighten up the bottom straps. It's all a bit awkward, as I'm holding my mask so close to my face the whole time and can't see very well. I don't recall any directions for that in the instructions, so that may be helpful. Pictures may help to illustrate proper adjustment too.

5. Anything else that might make the product more useful for women--especially in light of the negative experiences

This isn't a suggestion just for the women's cap design, but I would really like to see better quality lower straps on the PAPCap Plus. The Velcro seems a little flimsy and there's quite a bit of fraying on the fuzzy part already (after using about a month). Those Velcro parts are difficult to grab and separate too. Something more similar to the straps on the Activa headgear may be nice. The Activa straps are easier to feed through the mask buckles, and it seems that those straps may hold up better.

Also, my head may be smaller than some, so that may be why, but a shorter fuzzy section and compensating longer smoother section of Velcro on the wraparound straps would be better. What happens for me is the fuzzy section bumps up against the Activa LT buckle so I can't tighten it any further, which limits adjustment possibilities. (If I didn't describe that clearly, I can try to explain that better.)

The other thing I noticed is that with my Plus model, the Velcro on the cap that the chinstrap is affixed to is positioned near my ears, not "near the temples" as you say in the directions. So I'm having to angle the chinstraps back more than I'd like if I want the Velcro to make full contact. Is it the same way on the regular PAPCap?

If there is a durable mesh cotton fabric that could be used for part of the cap, that may be a nice option. I love how the cap keeps my head warm now that it's winter, but not sure if it'll be quite so pleasant in the summertime.

You may want to consider branching out into coordinating cotton strap covers for those who use a regular PAPCap with their standard mask headgear. Or even coordinating hose covers.

Thank you so much for seeking our input, Bret! I love your products just as they are, but almost anything can be improved.

~ DreamOn

[YawnGirl]

I am working on developing a more female-oriented PAP-Cap and would really appreciate some feedback. Helpful comments will be rewarded--special discount coupon codes, demo product samples, free product--and many thanks.

Some issues I am considering:

1. Fabric Color: lavender colored solid print?

I would like more patterns, and color choices.

2. Hair Management: The current design allows for long hair to be fed out of the cap, beneath the "tail" and the backstraps locking below the hair. How is does this work? Is a ponytail recommended or does that create an uncomfortable knot? Does your hair get tangled in the Velcro straps? Design recommendations?

I am one of the "problem" people. I cannot where the papcap. I have WAY too much hair. (see avitar photo)
I also have the swift lt for women and could not get the mask headgear to adjust properly. There is just enough velcro in enough spots to make my headgear stick to it and make adjusting my mask almost impossible. (My mask headgear does not have velcro, but the material it is made of will stick to velcro somewhat) I think the cap itself should come up farther in the back with a half circle hole of sorts with a stretchy strap at the bottom low enough for us to pull our hair through. I currently keep my mask in place by pulling some of my hair on top of the back strap of my head gear. I also need more "vents in the top of the cap. I have A LOT of hair and get hot easily.

3. Would a hair net be helpful, such as this (without the bow): http://www.horsetackinternational.com/i ... -black.JPG

This does not appeal to me.

4. Instructions: Are there any special tips / tricks that should be passed on to women?

Not from me.

5. Anything else that might make the product more useful for women--especially in light of the negative experiences

Shorter chin strap.

Or the 164 things that never occurred to me, being a dumb guy!

Several months ago I saw a news piece featuring the utter personal devastation experienced by many women upon receiving the CPAP Life Sentence--I would love to be able to use the PAP-Cap to give women a sense of dignity, femininity, and style....

Thanks!

[Slinky]

3. Would a hair net be helpful, such as this (without the bow): http://www.horsetackinternational.com/i ... -black.JPG

Yep, that's the type of "hair net" I was referring to. My daughter and granddaughters use those when competing in the at their horse shows.

[Irene P.]

I haven't yet purchased a pap cap, although the idea really appeals to me. The reason is I figure if it's large enough for men's heads, it'd probably be way too big for me. I suggest using some real women to get the sizing, location of straps, length of straps, etc. in a range that would fit smaller heads, as well as the shape of women's heads.

I have short hair, so hair management isn't a consideration. However, my current mask straps slip around some because my hair is so soft. Perhaps if it's the right size, it would work, or maybe a band of non-slippery fabric inside the rim of the cap?

Solid colors are boring! If the fabric you use is available in colorful prints, that would be preferable. However, because women have varied tastes, there should be a choice.

I'm so glad you're doing this. I can't wait for this product to be ready! Irene

[evbirch]

I've never used a PAP-Cap, but I'm interested in one, especially one designed for women. I have long hair and I like the idea of the hair net. It sounds like the current design allows for the hair to be gathered at the base of the neck in a sort of low ponytail (but not tied with an elastic). This is what I do with my CPAP straps and it is comfortable, but during the night my hair gets tangled up. It would be nice to have it gathered up in the hair net so that it stays put without the pain of an elastic digging into the back of my head.

Also, if it is possible to make it adjustable I would find that helpful. I have a really small head (I hate saying that!) and often buy hats in the childrens/petites sections.

[FatiguedMe]

Hey Brett,
Yayyyy I am so happy you are looking into this!
My number one issue with the papcap is the chinstrap digging into chin, it hurts! Is there any way to make it softer, but still be able to hold mouth closed? The problem right now comes from the stitching along the sides, it just digs.
I also can't use the hook ups with my mask because of the velcro positioning (will not hold mask against face)
I love my papcap! I use it under my mask straps to keep my hair out of straps. My hair is just long enough to get tangled in straps.
Color options would be wonderful. If all you have to offer is Lavender, that is not a problem for myself.
I also agree the netting would be a wonderful option along with the cap for both men and women to lighten up in the summer time. If that isn't an option then add the netting in for women.
I am dancin in my chair right now!! I was getting ready to order another cap, but now I will wait to see how this comes out. Any idea on a timeline?
You are NOT a dumbguy!
Thank you so much,
Susan

[sleepyred]

My ideas in general - female or male: Smaller cap for smaller heads! (Mine is still too big - it is still the best on the market!)

Longer "tail" - re - my original pap cap had a longer "tail" - which actually helps me adjust it once I have it on -

I would appreciate a pastel color!

[SleepGuy]

Wow--thanks to everybody for the feedback. This is extremely helpful and valuable! It will take me quite a bit of thinking to digest and process all of this--but just know that this is part of a larger business plan that will eventually get some large scale marketing effort so it's meaningful.

I am very much enjoying being able to figure out practical solutions to make CPAP do-able on a human level. Women, having been utterly ignored by the industry, I figure it's about time some good thinking went into helping make CPAP more sensible for y'all--but I'm just a simple minded guy so keep it coming!