Hybrid Mask Adjustments: Just One Man’s Opinion

[roster]

........
My biggest problem, though, is after washing the headgear getting it resized for best low-leakage or no-leakage fit. Even though I don't unhook the velcro before or after washing it... it fits slightly different after it dries. That requires some readjustment over the next days. ........
Nodzy

... and now for a few more suggestions Nodzy, all based on this one man's experience.

First, you should make sure you are using the second release of the headgear because the first release was not as durable. The second release is grey on the inside and black on the outside.

Second, when a mask is very sensitive to slight changes in headgear adjustments, it means the headgear is adjusted too tightly. Try loosening it up all the way around.

Third, regarding washing the headgear, I wear a buff, http://www.buffwear.com/, on my head underneath the mask headgear. (The buff protects my nice head of hair!). I also have Pad-A-Cheeks on the face straps of the headgear. So the headgear does not touch my hair or my cheeks and therefore rarely needs washing. The Buff and Pad-A-Cheeks are easy to launder and quick to dry.

..........
Still, overall, to date it is the only mask I have tried that I find substantial success with. And I love that it lacks a T-bar that rests on the forehead. ........

And how about not having anything pressing on the bridge of your nose? And being able to rub an itch on your nose without lifting a mask up? Those two items are a big part of what makes the Hybrid a great mask for me!!!!

[Guest]

i'n

[newtothis]

This mask is more comfortable than the mask I was sent home with, Mirage Quatro, but I still do some pillow adjusting at night. What I like is the ability to breathe inside the mask without the pressure against me making me feel like it's too hard to breathe, like all the other masks. I almost needed a bipap.
If I try to keep my mouth open than my mouth drys out some, too. If I remember tp swab cod liver oil on a q tip swab around my mouth first, that won't happen.

[SAC]

The chin support gave me blisters and a rash the first night I used it, so I lined it with moleskin. Each week when I disassemble the mask to wash it, I just peel off the moleskin and replace with fresh. Maybe this will help someone else with sensitive skin.

[roster]

...... but I still do some pillow adjusting at night. .........

Here is how to put an end to the need to do pillow adjusting during the night. Cut a leg out of a pair of ladies' tights. Tie it in a loop. After you put the mask on, pull the tights leg over your head and use it to stabilize the nasal pillows. The leg is very light weight, soft to the touch and cool in hot weather. I hardly know it is on.

The loop should be placed over the pillows similar to the last position below. Be sure not to block the mask exhaust ports.



Thanks to Rested Gal for the images.

[roster]

Good Morning! I've had a new Hybrid in my closet for nearly a year, and am more motivated these days to working on having a decent backup for my Swift LT. If I ever had to be hospitalized, I am pretty darned certain the nurses ain't gonna be taping my mouth!!

Yesterday, I spent what seemed to be many hours, reading this entire thread as well as a few others--watching the CD video, and trying to get it fitted right. And I still have questions.

I gather that cutting the chin flap off will somewhat increase the size of that mask. Is this true? I used a medium with what I think was good success on the leak rate (need to check the data)--so should I clip the flap off the Small cushion? I did not get a rash from the flap last night, but did feel like my skin was burning. Unfortunate, because I believe the flap does keep my mouth closed and thus decrease leaking. Any thoughts on this?

I would also appreciate your explaining in detail where you place the tights leg, and how wide a strip you use. Can't figure out how you use it without covering the vent, unless it's under the hose connection.

Thanks, Rooster.
Peggy

.....I gather that cutting the chin flap off will somewhat increase the size of that mask. Is this true? I used a medium with what I think was good success on the leak rate (need to check the data)--so should I clip the flap off the Small cushion? ........

I use the same size mouthpiece with or without the flap. IMO, a mouthpiece size should be chosen that just covers the corners of the mouth. Pick a bigger one and you are increasing the likelihood of leaks.

One member claims to have bent the flap up and duct-taped it to the mask. This allowed him to test the mask flapless and still have the flap in case the test failed. Another member said the duct taping distorts the mouthpiece and you have to cut it off to try it. I don't know.

.......I believe the flap does keep my mouth closed and thus decrease leaking. Any thoughts on this?

..........

When I have congestion, I need the extra air that breathing through the mouth brings. So I don't want a flap or a chin strap holding my mouth shut (and they won't anyway).

...........
I would also appreciate your explaining in detail where you place the tights leg, and how wide a strip you use. ......

See the illustrations in this thread just above. The last illustration in the block is the closest to how I wear the tights. They entirely cover the nasal pillows and just a bit of the nose tip. I just took one leg of a medium size pair of ladies' tights, cut it from the crotch of the tights, held it out in front of me, folded it once, and tied it in a loop. This gave me a band that is a little more than one-half inch wide.

Good luck,

[plr66]

Rooster, and anyone else who has cut off your Hybrid chin cup:
Did you cut it off flush against the cushion, or did you leave a rib of the material for stability. This is an expensive experiment, and I'd like to hear others' experience before putting mine under the knife!

[roster]

Rooster, and anyone else who has cut off your Hybrid chin cup:
Did you cut it off flush against the cushion, or did you leave a rib of the material for stability. This is an expensive experiment, and I'd like to hear others' experience before putting mine under the knife!

Leave a small rib. If the rib touches your skin, you can always cut off more later.

BTW, one poster reported bending the chin flap up and taping it to the shell in order to test the mask sans chin flap. This would allow him to reverse the process if he later decided to keep the chin flap. Another poster replied that the torque from taping the flap up distorted the mouth cushion and did not allow for a good test. So you might want to try it and let us know whether or not it works for you.

[Crickette]

I posted on another thread about the topic of my new hybrid, but in reading this one I see there are some veteran users of they hybrid. Last night was my first night with my new mask and I did ok until about 6 this morning. I woke up and the skin that is between the nostrils was soooo sore. I think it is caused from that tiny piece that connects the pillows together. Any suggestions on how I can prevent the soreness??

[Hawthorne]

I posted a reply to this on the other Hybrid thread.

[roster]

I posted on another thread about the topic of my new hybrid, but in reading this one I see there are some veteran users of they hybrid. Last night was my first night with my new mask and I did ok until about 6 this morning. I woke up and the skin that is between the nostrils was soooo sore. I think it is caused from that tiny piece that connects the pillows together. Any suggestions on how I can prevent the soreness??

I also posted on the other thread, but briefly the soreness indicates you do not have the mask adjusted and/or sized properly or you move around often in bed causing rubbing of the mask against the skin. If the former is true, then follow the instructions and readjust/resize the mask. If the latter is true, then use the ladies' tights fix to stabilize the pillows and prevent rubbing when you move in bed.

Repeating a tip on adjustments: The pillows should be adjusted so that, when the mask is in place, the pillows are compressed about 50% of their height. Too much compression is too tight and too little compression may lead to leaks or pillows popping out of nostrils.

[plr66]

[BTW, one poster reported bending the chin flap up and taping it to the shell in order to test the mask sans chin flap. This would allow him to reverse the process if he later decided to keep the chin flap. Another poster replied that the torque from taping the flap up distorted the mouth cushion and did not allow for a good test. So you might want to try it and let us know whether or not it works for you.

For the record, I have used fresh duct tape and a clean & dry mask cushion, and duct tape absolutely will not stick to the silicone chin flap, much less hold it in a position against the force of its intended form. SOooo, I'm getting out the snips. Aaaghhh!!

[GaryG]

Rooster, thanks again for this thread. Adjusting the lower straps on my Liberty to be tighter and loosening the upper straps reduced my leakage from 24 L/min to 15 L/min. Great tip (even though you were referring to a different hybrid mask.)

[magentapolkadots]

This thread is wonderful! After following the fitting instructions that came with my new hybrid, I came to this thread to do some tweaking. Twisting the nasal pillows the way rooster described made them more comfortable, gave me more air, and reduced the leaks. The chin flap is still on the mask, will see how that goes.

I hope I like this mask as much tomorrow morning as I do right now
Heading upstairs now to find a pair of nylons I can cut up,
-K

[roster]

.......Heading upstairs now to find a pair of nylons I can cut up,
-K

Note that ladies' tights are very comfortable compared to pantyhose or regular nylon hose.