Quattro - 2 fixes

[mindy]

Hi,

I think I've gotten most of this from other posts in trying to picture what people meant. So here's what I did to my Quattro to solve 2 problems:

1. Leaks and squeaks from the elbow connections
2. Very sore just below nose bridge!


#1 Shows mask before adding cushion, clip and padacheek. You can see the silicone putty in the triangle at top of main mask and the ends of the teflon tape on the elbow connected to the mask. Although you can't see the teflon tape on the other end of the elbow, it is there! I needed the silicone putty due to some serious redness and soreness that would likely have become an open sore if I had worn it more than one night without any fix.



#2 Shows mask after adding the special padacheek for quattro (thank you, Karen!!) This resolved the remaining nose soreness.



#3 Shows the mask after adding the clip and cushion - ready to wear
I have the padacheek nose piece going between the layers.



I thought that if there are others who, like me, had a bit of a challenge picturing how to do this, that these photos might help. If any of you have other ideas or suggestions on how to improve this, please chime in! Also let me know if I've misinterpreted what I've read!!

Mindy

[RipVW]

Hadn't thought about placing the nose pad under the cushion like that. I'll give it a try. Thanks, Mindy!

[mindy]

Just a quick update: this should now be 3 fixes! I followed advice (Ted's I believe) and created 2 very thin silicone putty rolls about 1" long and placed them on the two bottom "corners" of the cushion to help keep the mask from slipping around too much. Worked well ... leak average about 35 at average pressure of around 12. If there's any interest, I can post a 4th photo.

Mindy

[Guest]

I hadn't thought about putting the pad under the clip. I've ordered the nose bridge protection for my quattro and I'll try it the way you say. Thanks for the idea.

Deglorious

[DoriC]

Mindy, I'd be interested in seeing that 4th photo of where you place the Mack's on the corners. Thanks. Also, when I print out these photos, I just get the text but not the pics. Is there a setting for that?

[mindy]

Mindy, I'd be interested in seeing that 4th photo of where you place the Mack's on the corners. Thanks. Also, when I print out these photos, I just get the text but not the pics. Is there a setting for that?

One of those photos shows the Mack's all the way around so it would be like that but just in the corners. Probably the easiest way to print that out with the pics would be to print the web page to a PDF file - that should capture everything - and then print the PDF.

Mindy

[SeaPappy]

Mindy,
Please post pictures and explanation of lower corner fixes.
Seems like you got a handle on the Quattro.

James

[mindy]

I'll take a look tonight when I get home to see if I still have them.

Mindy

[mindy]

James,

I don't have the photo of the corner Mack's silicone but here's the one with the silicone rolled and tucked all the way around (the messy "rope"). For the corners, you would just apply it the same way but not all the way around.

Note, however, that I quit using the Mack's silicone earplus (but still use the teflon tape) but now I simply use a pantyhose tights leg and wrap it over the elbow and tie it behind my head using Rested Gal's knot that lies flat and is easy to remove. This seems to help me more than anything else I've tried. I leave the straps a bit on the loose side and with the tights strap, it doesn't dislodge as easily when I roll around at night. It's still not perfect all the time but it's the best I've managed so far.




Good luck!
Mindy

[mickeyd]

Dumb question but where do you get the silicon putty? I looked for some today and couldn't find it. Thanks

[congahands]

One thing I noticed last night. My quattro is leaking just a bit from the oxygen ports, at least that's what I think that wierd double square plug on the mask just under the elbow is. By the way, I have never had that rubber double plug out. I'm going to try adding a little piece of teflon tape across those two holes and put the double.

I had only put the teflon tape on the elbow where it connects to the hose adapter (or swivel). I haven't noticed that I need it on the mask end yet, but I'll check that tonight too.

[mindy]

I've found the silicone putty at Wal-Mart, Walgreen's, etc. Look for Mack's ear plugs and it's the one with the smaller print somewhere on the box that says "silicone putty". The boxes come in two sizes (# of ear plugs).

I used the teflon tape on both ends of the swivel - stopped the whistling and leaking. As I recall it took about 4-5 turns of the tape.

Mindy

[trice54]

These ideas all seem great. I use the silicone putty all around the mask usually (unless I am too lazy to roll out an entire length for that, then I just use it around the bridge.) What does putting the putty under the seal and clip up by the bridge accomplish? (Not criticizing, just wondering!) I am definitely going to order the padacheek...the bridge of my nose gets cold even with my humidifier heat turned up, and the padacheek looks like it would really help there. Thanks! Trice

[mindy]

These ideas all seem great. I use the silicone putty all around the mask usually (unless I am too lazy to roll out an entire length for that, then I just use it around the bridge.) What does putting the putty under the seal and clip up by the bridge accomplish? (Not criticizing, just wondering!) I am definitely going to order the padacheek...the bridge of my nose gets cold even with my humidifier heat turned up, and the padacheek looks like it would really help there. Thanks! Trice

I had trouble with the silicone flap sealing and someone else had tried a rope of silicone putty all around the mask. I tried it and it was the best result I'd had with the Quattro ... until I tried the pantyhose tights strap. The piece of silicone putty up by the bridge prevents the hard plastic from digging into my nose. It seemed counterintuitive to me at first, too .... but when I looked more carefully I could see where that part of the plastic would press on the bridge of my nose (at least for me).

Mindy

[frapilu]

Looks good! I have one of the padacheek nose bridge thingies on order so I'm looking forward to it arriving soon. I think I'll also try the teflon tape because the squeaking is so annoying. I've never taken my mask apart, though, so I'm a little worried about that (I worry that I'll never be able to put it back together properly).

Could someone help me find instructions for Rested Gal's panty hose and knot? I tried looking in that "Our Wisdom" light bulb but I can't seem to find any of those great posts Rested Gal had put together.

Thanks.
France