Reducing the size of a Swift FX

[tetragon]

I've been trying to get my Swift FX to stay correctly positioned at night. Based off of the fitting guidelines in the manual and some other guides I've come across, the problem I'm having is that I'm running out of notches; it's too big. I use my hair to improve the stability of the headgear, and it's comfortable if I reposition the pillows a few times in the night. Are there any easy and relatively non-damaging ways to effectively add some extra notches to the silicone?

[Cat Lady]

I have this mask also - I read somewhere that the top piece should be looser than the velcro back strap, which should be tighter. The top should be loose enough to easily get a couple fingers under it. You could also attach a self stick piece of velcro (prickly side) to the velcro back strap to keep it from sliding on your hair. I tried that and, probably because my hair is short and thin, I could feel the prickles on the back of my head and it was uncomfortable, so I took it off. My headgear does not seem to move around since I loosened the top a bit and tightened the back.

[Gaga58]

I had the same problem and am down on the last notch to tighten as well. What helped for me was to add side strap covers since the ones that came with the mask were slick, they had a tendency to slide. I made some out of fleece and also a barrel cozy..haven't had any problems since and my leak rate is very low. My pillows rest just where they're suppose to and I rarely have to fiddle with them in the night...I can also now take the headgear off and put it back on with no readjusting as well. Hope that helps!

[tetragon]

I can easily fit my hand, not just a couple of fingers, under the top strap and further tightening of the back strap pulls the pillows into an uncomfortable angle. I have enough hair that pulling a chunk of it through the gap between the straps does a decent job of keeping the back strap where I left it. In my initial fitting, the RT had the top one notch looser and the back tighter. Unfortunately, that had it smoosh in too much, at the wrong angle, and left my nose hurting for a few days (until it occurred to me to check for more details).

I don't currently have time to make new covers, but maybe I could try that in a couple weeks.

[Pugsy]

Which size Swift FX are you using? Does it have a black back strap? Or is it Pink or Blue?

The headgear with the black strap is the regular size. Pink or Blue is the "her" size and it is smaller. I have used both and the black strap headgear and the silicone notched top strap took me to the very end myself. I couldn't use the same notches and position with the "her" model.

Padacheeks makes some nice side strap covers. Those along with the barrel cozy will take up some space and make things a little snugger. I had to loosen straps when I added the side covers (if you don't have the time or inclination to make).

If you are already using the "her" model then you likely will need to add the side strap covers but I will say that I can also slip my hand through the top strap very easily.

[tetragon]

My Swift FX has a navy back strap and grey side covers. I didn't know that there were multiple sizes of headgear, although I did quickly learn that there are multiple sizes of pillows (the RT switched took away my medium and large pillows, went into a drawer, and tossed more smalls into the mask bag). I wonder if my DME has the smaller headgear at their main location; I was fitted at a smaller location that they have.

Why are all these mask bits so big? In my initial fitting, I was switched over to the Swift FX when I had a hard time with a nasal mask slipping over my mouth (I could feel it resting on my lower lip).

[Pugsy]

Black back strap....you have the larger sized headgear which is suitable for men and some women. I can wear it but only at the last notch and with velcro tabs touching in the back. As for the Swift FX for HER headgear. The notch I use is sort of in the middle and there is about an inch and a half space between the velcro tabs in back. I do not know if the side straps are of a different size or not. Did not seem to be but I have away my old mask with black back strap before thinking to measure the size straps.

There is a significant difference in the size of the headgear for the for "Her" size. I bet it will fit you much better.

[Gaga58]

Tetra..the swift I'm using is the for her, so headgear is pink and I still am on the last notch on top. I can tell you though how you're RT fitted you was basically how I had to do my own after pulling the top up to the last notch I did have the pillows crammed, so I then loosened both back straps at the same time and slowly let them out until I had no "nose flare" and no air leaking. I did this with the machine on so I could tell on the leaks. I kept adjusting from there, to where I could set up or lay down without the hose pulling the pillows away from my nose and yet they didn't feel crammed in the nostril either.

Another thing I did during all this fitting, was to adjust the pillows sort of at an angle...it brings the barrel up off your lip better, then pull the back strap downward across the back of your head, not straight across the head. For me that helps to keep the side straps angled enough to let the pillows also angle, no leaks, and not setting there on my lip.

I'm afraid us "little people" just have to figure out our own adjustsments...but it can be done, so don't give up the swift. If you can switch out the headgear for the fx for her, do it and then take your fitting from there. Once you get it all set you'll hardly be able to tell it's even on your face!! Good luck!

[tetragon]

I guess it's time to hike out to the suburbs to visit my DME's main location. I am still within the time frame that I can switch out my mask.

[chunkyfrog]

I had to let my top strap out a few notches while wearing my homemade 'papcap'--
--so a skullcap will also add padding under the headgear.
Also, if your back strap rides up, a bit of hook side of hook and loop (Velcro),
stuck or sewn to the inside middle of the back strap will help it stay in place.
(note: do not do this if your hair is insufficient to keep the hooks from scraping your scalp)
Good luck, and welcome.

[tetragon]

I'm back from the DME, and still no Swift FX for Her. According to them, they had them, but not anymore. I've been told that they will order one in for me (which should arrive in a few days) and handed me an Opus 360 to use until then. The Opus is so heavy compared to the Swift FX. I'll give that one a try, but I may find myself pulling my Swift FX out of its bag, in spite of having the size issues.

[xenablue]

Yup, try the Swift FX for Her. I too have a small head & face and even so, find the mask slips around on my hair more than that it seems to big. Once I started wearing a PapCap chinstrap, the FX stays in place all night.

If you don't need a chinstrap, then perhaps a bandanna or skullcap put on first before the mask, would hold your headgear in place.

Cheers,
xena