Part Coming Loose on the Swift

[MandoJohnny]

I have the Mirage Swift. I have continually had a problem with the part at the far end of the small Swift hose that actually goes in to the six foot main hose from the machine. My DME RT told me it was called a "swivel." The problem is that the swivel keeps popping out of the small Swift hose at the slightest tug. So sometimes if I change sleeping positions at night, it will pull out and the main hose, with the swivel in it, will just start flailing around. The I have to reconnect it while I am still half asleep.

I have had my DME replace the hose assembly and the new one does the exact same thing, so it is apparently a design defect. I want to keep the Swift, but I would like to fix that one thing. I thought about to gluing it, but figured that might be toxic. There doesn't seem to be a good way to tape it, because of the way the swivel flares out from the small hose. I thought about some kind of hose clamp, but then I would have a metal object with edges in the system. Any Swift users have this problem? Any solutions?

[GoofyUT]

Same exact thing has happened with me. And, I had my DME replace the hose assembly, with no change.

My solution:

I use the small blue velcro strap that they include with the Swift and wrap it tightly around the hose-end where the swivel enters it. It seems to apply enough compression that it eliminated the swivel popping out of the hose for me.

Hope this helps!

Chuck

[Sleepless in St. Louis]

I had that problem as well if you're talking about the short hose connection to the swivel on the long hose. Mine starting coming loose about every other night about the same time I was experiencing some pretty severe nasal congestion. I thought maybe back pressure was causing it? It has not happened that I can remember since my sinuses have cleared. But those times it did come loose got me to thinking about how to lab rat it. I was considering a hose clamp like you'd see on a car radiator or something like that which I'm sure you can buy something similar at one of big box hardware stores. If you don't want metal in the circuit, what about those plastic fasteners (a small size) that can only be used once. Once they lock down you have to cut them off. I've seen them used as handcuffs of all things on TV. I wish I could describe it better or I knew the actual name of the thing. Are they called "zip ties". I also wonder if a twist tie would work from a loaf of bread or maybe even a small rubber band you'd have laying around the house in a drawer. One fo those items may be able to tighen the joint just enough to work and would be easy to take off if not. I think I'm going to try to bread tie myself to test it.

Good luck.

Tim

[MandoJohnny]

Thanks "Sleepless." Those zip ties seem like the perfect solution. I shoulda thought of that! BTW, I'm in St. Louis also! Where'd you go to high school? LOL. Thanks again.

[Sleepless in St. Louis]

Not to digress too much, but I grew up in South St. Louis and if you were a "public" kid in those days and lived there you either went to high school at Southwest, or Cleveland. I went to Cleveland High. I think now it's turned into a military academy or something. I now live in St. Louis County or Shrewsbury to be more specific. How about you? For the non St. Louisans, "Where did you go to school" (everyone here knows you are being asked what high school) is a classic St. Louis question. There are a number of reasons why people ask this question, but unfortunetly one is the segregated nature of our city. You can tell almost all you need to know (or so some people think) when you ask that question of a native St. Louisan.

[roadwarrior]

I had this pesky thing happen to mine, but I took a small white tie wrap and cranked it tight clipping off the exposed portion that went through the locking part. Hasn't budged since. No other issues so far..........

[christinequilts]

I've had that particular problem too- and it also happens with other masks systems frequently when a soft hose connects to hard plastic without being permenantly glued, welded, or whatever. The easiest & safest fix I've found is to take the plastic swivel out & wrap the part that goes into the Swifts soft hose with a little Teflon tape- thats the stuff you use to wrap pipe threads to prevent leaking in plumbing- to tighten up the connection without being permenant or anything. The tape is completely covered by the hose, so it never comes in contact with air your breathing- but even if it did, it doesn't have any smell or anything. I also use it on the ends that go into the barrel of the Swift, as it tightens up the connection & makes the mask quieter by preventing leaks there.

I use to use electrical tape for this type of stuff, until someone else here suggested the Teflon tape- either would do, but electrical tape leaves a sticky residue if it moves or if you replace when you wash your mask. I keep a roll of both types of tape in my xPAP emergency supplies & they go with me when I travel- you never know when you might need a McGyvor-esk repair.

[MandoJohnny]

All great ideas! Thanks a bunch. It looks like a trip to the hardware store is in order. I actually have teflon tape and zip ties, somewhere, but I can never find them when I'm looking for them!!!

Sleepless: I went to Augustinian at Meremec and Nebraska. An apartment complex sits in its place now. I grew up in Richmond Heights and now live in Town and Country.

[Sleepless in St. Louis]

Didn't Augustinian burn down, I seem to remember? I know where you are talking about. I may be thinking of another Catholic High School though.

[MandoJohnny]

Didn't Augustinian burn down, I seem to remember?

Hey, I had an alibi. They couldn't prove a thing. I had nothin' to do with it!!!

Seriously, yes, it did burn down. It was in the old Maryville College building that had stood since the 1800's. The story is one of the great St. Louis mysteries. Augustinian closed in 72, due to finances. The archdiocese owned the building and wanted to sell it to a developer, but the Missouri Historical Society got the sale blocked because it was a historic building. Then, in 73 it burned to the ground one night. The night watchman confessed to torching it, saying he did it because he was "bored." He copped a plea, did his time, got out and was never heard from again. With no historical building to worry about, the land was sold to the developer. Coincidence? The truth is out there, somewhere.

[Sleepless in St. Louis]

That's an interesting piece of St. Louis trivia. I was a kid but I remember something fishy about that whole thing (I was raised catholic so I knew a number of older kids who went there). Have you ever seen this website.

http://www.fightingbraves.org/index1.shtml

[Arizona Willie]

I know this is off topic but ...

Sleepless and Mando Johnny ... ever hear of a little school in KC called Rockhurst?

Class of '59

Go Hawklets .. gesh I even remember that for some reason.

[MandoJohnny]

Yeah, heard of it. Don't know much about it, though. KC is a great town, though.

[Sleepless in St. Louis]

I know we're getting way off topic and boring everyone. But, yes, I'm familiar with Rockhurst. In fact the guy who's office is right next to mine is an almumni. Most of the catholic kids I grew up with either went to college at St. Louis University, Loyola of Chicago, or Rockhurst. Those were the favorites at that time and maybe still are now.

[Arizona-Willie]

I know we're getting way off topic and boring everyone. But, yes, I'm familiar with Rockhurst. In fact the guy who's office is right next to mine is an almumni. Most of the catholic kids I grew up with either went to college at St. Louis University, Loyola of Chicago, or Rockhurst. Those were the favorites at that time and maybe still are now.

=========
I graduated from Rockhurst High School then after a stretch in the Navy went to Rockhurst College at night for about 3 years before I gave it up.

Then the High School was boys only .. I think they are co-ed now.

Ahh to be young enough for High school again ... well maybe if I could know what I know now