BRAVO MASK - I need help

dieselgal · Post by **dieselgal** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 11:20 am

Ok guys I need help. I traded for a Bravo mask and the mask looks great. The problem is that I can't find a way to keep air from escaping all over the place. I haven't tried it yet for a night because even sitting up air rushes out all over the place.
Are there tips and techniques I might try?
The main problem seems to be that the nose pillows don't go in the correct places to fit my nose and I have tried all sizes.

neverbetter · Post by **neverbetter** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 11:30 am

I guess you do the same as you do with the Hybrid pillows and cut them apart to taylor them to the shape of your nose. And tighten the headstraps a bit.

TerryB · Post by **TerryB** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 12:37 pm

I really hate to hear about you having trouble because I've got one coming from a trade I made. Did you do a search on it yet to see if there are any lab rat awards?

TerryB

dieselgal · Post by **dieselgal** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 1:59 pm

No, I didn't search but from what I have there doesn't seem to be any adjustment with the headgear that will help the pillows fit any differently. It kind of feels like you really need to have a bigger /wider head and nose for it to fit well. I have smaller facial features and that my be the problem.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 2:51 pm

Have you tried to pull the nasal pillows closer together (ala some of the fixes used with the Swift)?

With my Aura, I have to pull the pillows closer together -- I use paper tape on the Aura pillows. But you would have to use a baggie tie or fishing line on the Bravo.

Might not work, but worth a try perhaps.

BTW, have you ever tried the Aura? With modifications, it works for alot of people.

neverbetter · Post by **neverbetter** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 3:11 pm

You may have to rubber band it like the Aura. It's not your face, it's your nose.
see this post.

viewtopic.php?t=20314&highlight=bravo

Xian · Post by **Xian** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 3:32 pm

I am also having problems with the Bravo. It seems like the spread and the angle of the pillows are wrong for my face... I can see how the elastic band (or baggie tie) could help with the spread (I felt I was between sizes, medium too small, large too large/wide), but I am having problem making the pillows come at the right angle for my nose. I do not seem to see adjustment for that. Pulling the side flex tubes over my head, and tight, kind of help shifting that angle down, but the whole thing fills too tight then. Bottom line, I have not been able to sleep with the mask yet, and have been too tired/frustrated to try harder... I will try the elastic band though... some day!
Thanks

MissDozer · Post by **MissDozer** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 4:04 pm

Things that have worked at various times for me:
1. Cut the pillows apart and wiggle them around individually until they're in the right spot.
2. Twist the cylinder which holds the pillows either toward you or away from you.
3. If the elbows (???) are leaking, I don't have a clue. That area leaks for me, too. By "elbows," I'm referring to the rigid clear plastic which is attached to each end of the cylinder.

mecocosm · Post by **mecocosm** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:11 am

dieselgal wrote:The main problem seems to be that the nose pillows don't go in the correct places to fit my nose and I have tried all sizes.

I suspect you have the pillows inserted wrong. Read the manual and watch the DVD carefully. I found that the pillows had an orientation that matched the shape of my nares only if I inserted it correctly as shown in the manual and DVD.

The Bravo came pre-assembled with the medium pillows, so you don't have to worry if that is the size that works. But for me, I need a large on my right nostril and so I cut the thin strip and installed the pillows. While doing that, I realized how important it is to install them in the correct orientation. Doing in front of a mirror might help to confirm the orientation.

Issac · Post by **Issac** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 7:25 am

dieselgal, make sure you have the pillows in upsidedown !

Bought the wife a new Bravo set up. She adores it and I'm happy for her but she's in denial about needing a chinstrap. I have to nudge her at least twice a night to shut her mouth. Her nightly data is OK, so she thinks shes fine without a chinstrap.
Anything new on the market that might help her ?
I know it's hard coming from the Hybrid and going back to a nasal mask without a chinstrap, but she really loves this little mask.

Going back to tape is out of the question.

mikester · Post by **mikester** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 7:37 am

You're having the same problem I had with the Bravo (I'm the one that traded it to diesalgal, btw). It's like my nostrils are too close together or something. I could push the pillows together and get a good seal, but I never could find any way to adjust the straps to hold them in that position.

mecocosm · Post by **mecocosm** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 10:56 am

mikester wrote:You're having the same problem I had with the Bravo (I'm the one that traded it to diesalgal, btw). It's like my nostrils are too close together or something. I could push the pillows together and get a good seal, but I never could find any way to adjust the straps to hold them in that position.

Mikester,
I'm wondering if you also had the pillows inserted in the wrong orientation. Did you just use it the way it came assembled with the med pillows or did you remove the pillows and insert them back or switch them out for another size?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 10:57 am

side by side the Bravo pillows look as far apart as the swift
Tightening the headstrap has nothing to do with it.

I have the same problem with my aura and cl2 and I used dental floss to tie the pillows closer.A loose rubberband around the pillows does the same thing. My nostrils are almost on top of each other so it's odd that I can get this mask to work.

I cannot post the link, but someone else can.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:06 am

Guest. So, are you using the Bravo now? And how does it compare to the Aura you tried?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 1:16 pm

Hard to say which one I like better, Linda, I like them both. I like them both better than the swifts, anyway, and the cl2 just didnt work for me at all.

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BRAVO MASK - I need help

BRAVO MASK - I need help

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