Free Mask Loan Program

[Slinky]

My name is Dane and I am the founder and one of the hosts of Sleep Nation TV. Also my family ownes a DME business specializing in Sleep Apnea therapy. I would be willing to sponsor this type of program if there are those that would be interested.
Here is my proposition:

I will make two trial masks available for every mask and size on the market. We usually only carry the major brand masks but I will see what other masks I can get my hands on. Here is what I can provide.
- The full line of resmed masks
- almost all of the respironics masks
- THe fisher paykel forma and zest series most of the sizes
- I can get 1 of the hans rudolph
- A bravo mask
- A hybrid

I can mobilize the program from our site http://www.sleepnation.tv

I will get full contact information from everyone who uses the program so that we can insure we get them back and the program continues. I would love input and help from those that want to help organize and get the word out.

For anyone that is interested please visit http://www.sleepnation.tv/trialprogram I have posted some guidelines and information then please contact sleepnationtv@gmail.com with your requests to be put on the list. It is hard to manage all the posts for requests so email us to get on the list and visit our page to see the details.

Well the mask trial program has officially begun. We are shipping the first mask today. We still have plenty of mask to loan out so feel free to sign up.

Visit http://www.sleepnation.tv/trialprogram to get started.

[Gaga58]

I can't get the trial program link to work...says page not found. I did get the sleeptv one to come up but it shows the cpap library which I thought only loaned the masks for 1 week...are these one and the same and if so, has he changed the amount of time you get to try the masks?! Thanks!

[Slinky]

I don't know. These posts were just from Jan thru Apr 2011 and the program seemed to be working well. Maybe enough didn't take part to make it worth while. Try e-mailing them and asking.

[Pugsy]

Same program. Looks like new web address
This one works.
http://www.cpaplibrary.com/mask-trials.html

I thought it was always for just a week. I don't remember seeing a different time frame but I will admit I didn't pay much attention.

A time frame is needed and some structure. We used to have a Nasal prong mask trial floating around and people would get a mask and not try it right away and then forget to return it and not answer emails so then the available mask would disappear and it would not get sent to next person on the list.

[Guest]

Yep, it keeps returning to the cpap libary, even when I googled it. I did sign up on there, but haven't heard anything from them. Later I was thinking that 7 days is not giving you much time to figure out whether it works well or not.

[rdfry]

I just used it for the F&P oracle mask. On this mask one night is enough for me.

[Perrybucsdad]

Slinky's post says free but the link Pugsy lists is $14 (still a good deal though).

[rdfry]

The mask is free, but you pay for shipping both ways.

[Pugsy]

I did sign up on there, but haven't heard anything from them. Later I was thinking that 7 days is not giving you much time to figure out whether it works well or not.

Dane is a forum member. Sleepnationtv is his screen ID. If you don't get a reply from the website, send him a private message here.

7 days will usually let you know if the mask is a possible keeper or not. Back in my experiment days I could tell within 2 to 3 nights (sometimes one night) if I wanted to continue working with it. I suppose one could perhaps contact Dane to see if anyone else has requested that model mask.. if no request..perhaps get the ok to try for one more week.
Also if strong possible keeper one can just utilize 30 day trial at DME provided insurance can be used..

And yes mask trial is free but it costs money to ship these things. $7 each way...to you and back to Dane.. totaling $14
is a fair price. Not to mention Dane's time to do this. Managing it all. I sure wouldn't have wanted to take on this work.

[xenablue]

Just for any newbies - I can attest to Dane's wonderful mask exchange program and commend him on his generosity in helping to make our lives a little better for this gesture.

cheers,
xena

[khintul]

I can vouch for this program - using the link provided in Pugsy's post works. I think it's a great program.

I am currently trying a Swift FX I got from the program. Got it Monday, used it Monday night and Tuesday night, and so far I'm almost ready to pull the trigger and get one to be my regular mask. It's great to sleep with, my stats are the best they've been. AHI Monday night was 0.4; after last night it was 0.5.

I may try the "for her" version before I settle for sure, but I don't know whether that will even be necessary. I want to use this one for at least 4 nights and if all 4 work out like the first 2, I think this may be the one.

If anyone has compared the Swift FX to the "for her" version, is there really any difference that's noticeable?

[TheDreamer]

I may have to give this a shot....give up the 5 months I've been waiting for my DME to call me about a new mask. Though did finally get refund of the mask I had returned last go....also took months and months the time before that. My EasyLife is getting kind of old....though I have replaced the headgear a couple of times (as well as cushions) from sellers on ebay. But, there seems to be a bit of whistle from the elbow.

Thought about buying online....though even with the 30 day return, its still a steep price for an experiment. Of course, if it works....

Someday it'll be time to find a new DME. Could just get a new EasyLife I suppose...there probably isn't a mask that doesn't use headgear that won't irritate my scalp...

[chunkyfrog]

Besides the color and number of the straps and side covers, I hear there are only two differences between the Swift FX and the Fx for Her:
1--the back strap is shorter on the 'for her' .
2--there are three pillow sizes; except, instead of a large pillow, it comes with an extra small.
The silicone headgear parts are the same length. (shorter would have been nice-- )

[Gaga58]

I signed up for that program...so those of you who have used it can you tell me how long it was before you heard back from them, or was notified you had a mask available?

[Pugsy]

If anyone has compared the Swift FX to the "for her" version, is there really any difference that's noticeable?

I have used both. The back strap is noticeably shorter. With the regular size..I had the back strap tabs touching to get the strap snug enough. With the "her" model I have much more space between the back tabs. Seems like the silicone notched strap is a bit shorter also but can't swear to it. I gave the regular size away to someone who needed a mask so I don't have it handy to compare.

I can comfortably use both sizes the regular and for her models. If my head was any smaller though..the back strap would have been a problem with the regular size.