Secrets to hose management?

[mhorowit]

Good morning -

I’m using a Comfort Gel mask and am having problems with leaks as I turn from side to side.

I see the multitude of helpful articles describing hose management systems. What I’m looking for is what the successful systems have in common. My headboard extends about 6” above my forehead when I’m using a pillow and laying on my back. I have secured the hose on top of the headboard so that 1 ½-2’ of hose extends to the mask I have no trouble on my back and when rolling to my right, but when I roll to my left side, the hose bows up and applies pressure to the mask, causing leaks.

So what do I take away from this? Does the hose need to be longer/shorter? Does it need to be suspended from a greater height? Does the suspension system need to be able take up slack (they don’t seem to)? Does my position with respect to the hose matter?

Anyone ? – Mike

[Gerald]

Mike.....

Attack the problem......in a way that might seem backwards.

Install the mask with the hose attached on your "assistant".

Have the assistant move around on the bed like you think you do when you're asleep.

You (by hand) support the hose in various positions....until you see what kind of support works best.

Figure out what sort of bracketry system will re-create what you're doing with your hand.

Fabricate...then, test again.

Repeat the process until you get it just right.

[Babette]

Just in case it might help:

http://www.pur-sleep.com/content/?id=45

http://levitationsystems.com/

https://www.cpap.com/simple-find-cpap-p ... ement.html

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/flexib ... -lift.html

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/travel ... ystem.html

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/hozer- ... ution.html

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/HoseBu ... ystem.html

Good luck!
Babs

[luke]

What I did was build a "swinging gantry" if you will, out of pvc pipe that will actually swing from side to side
as I move around but basically it supports the hose from directly above me.
I dont have any pics but hopefully the description will help along with Babette's links above.



Bill

[sleeplessinaz]

Good Morning!! If you are a side sleeper --you may want to get a new mask. A nasal mask works wonders!! I had that Comfort gel mask for awhile until I found the SWIFT LT----IT is wonderful --no leaks and I sleep from side to side. I just let the hose hang down at the edge of my bedside---good luck,
Carrie

[rested gal]

What I did was build a "swinging gantry" if you will, out of pvc pipe that will actually swing from side to side as I move around but basically it supports the hose from directly above me.

Same principle, I guess, as the swivel arm plant hanger I use, that extends out 9" from the wall:


And swivels right/left, to follow when I turn over:



The white pillow in the pictures is a double edge PAPillow.

The mask in the picture is a deconstructed (headgear removed) Headrest nasal pillows mask. The red "straps" are the infamous legs cut off a pair of pantyhose tights, used as replacement straps to hold on what remained of the Headgear mask after "deconstruction." What remained is the nasal pillows assembly and the exhaust.

The gray/black rectangular pad at the forehead area of the "mask" is a piece of foam to pad that spot.

[rested gal]

Install the mask with the hose attached on your "assistant".
Have the assistant move around on the bed like you think you do when you're asleep.
You (by hand) support the hose in various positions....until you see what kind of support works best.
Figure out what sort of bracketry system will re-create what you're doing with your hand.

I like Gerald's idea of enlisting the aid of an assistant while you figure out what might work for you.

[Debjax]

What I did was build a "swinging gantry" if you will, out of pvc pipe that will actually swing from side to side
as I move around but basically it supports the hose from directly above me.
I dont have any pics but hopefully the description will help along with Babette's links above.



Bill

Same concept, but I used a 6.00 swinging plant hanger for mine (and hubby now has a matching one). To give added flexibility, I used the flexible pipe material, that white stuff that is plastic and about 1/2" in diameter and made a circle of that attached to a swivel clip. The hose can slide freely back and forth with very little resistance through the smooth pipe material, the swivel allows it to move to different angles as needed....we love it and it's like the hose isn't even there.

[Jason S.]

Good morning -
I’m using a Comfort Gel mask and am having problems with leaks as I turn from side to side.
I see the multitude of helpful articles describing hose management systems. What I’m looking for is what the successful systems have in common. My headboard extends about 6” above my forehead when I’m using a pillow and laying on my back. I have secured the hose on top of the headboard so that 1 ½-2’ of hose extends to the mask I have no trouble on my back and when rolling to my right, but when I roll to my left side, the hose bows up and applies pressure to the mask, causing leaks.
Anyone ? – Mike

Mike,

I have the same mask and my headboard is also about 6" above my head. Don't secure the hose, let it fall naturally over the headboard. Flip the connector on the mask around so the hose goes directly towards the top of your head and then right over the headboard. It shouldn't matter which way you roll, the hose will still stay out of the way. I never have an issue with the hose. I do have issues with that mask leaking when I move my head, but that is another issue. Good luck.

[dilligat]

I have my pipe coming up from the base of the bed under the quilt. It's not ideal because when I need to turn over I wake up and conciously move the hose as I roll over from one side to the other then go straight back to sleep. I only do this about 3 times a night so it's ok. Having the pipe under the covers also helps keep the air humid and prevents rainout.

[mhorowit]

Mike,

I have the same mask and my headboard is also about 6" above my head. Don't secure the hose, let it fall naturally over the headboard. Flip the connector on the mask around so the hose goes directly towards the top of your head and then right over the headboard. It shouldn't matter which way you roll, the hose will still stay out of the way. I never have an issue with the hose. I do have issues with that mask leaking when I move my head, but that is another issue. Good luck.

Just wanted to provide a follow-up. Lots of good ideas presented. Thanks to all.
However, although I like to tinker, that night I didn't have much time, so I moved my pump up three feet to get more slack, and ran the hose over the headboard. I had done something like this previously, but with insufficient slack and without a "secret ingredient", it didn't work out well. This time I gave myself more slack and discovered the "secret ingredient". My headboard has a raised lip on the backside (probably to keep stuff from rolling off the top); the hose has the spiral groove in it so the two interlocked, holding the hose in place and allowing a little movement laterally. I've been sleeping with less leaks the last two nights so "Occum's Razor" seems to apply (given two solutions, the simplest is usually the best). I've order a longer hose, so I'll be able to move the pump back down where it was (and less noisy) next week, but that 'lip and groove' interlock was all that appears to be needed - Mike

[JoyD.]

Rested Gal replied: Same principle, I guess, as the swivel arm plant hanger I use, that extends out 9" from the wall.

Rested Gal, What "smooth hose" & "hose connectors" did you use that joins up with the mask apparatus on one end & to the "covered coil hose" on the other? Where did you find them to purchase?

Thanks! Joy