Cpap Tubing Always Tearing The End Off

[sleepingAgainDsmIA]

So, I am a relatively new to CPAP therapy. I have been a sleep snorkeler for a couple of years now. What I have run into is the fact that when I remove my tubing from my mask or machine I regularly rip the end off the hose. Going on at least three times now. So, what i have done is wrap my hose ends with black electrical tape in order to stop this from happening. It works well I haven't had a tube rip since. Here comes the butt..... BUT, it leaves black smudges everywhere, and I got away with it for a while, but my wife has had it.

Just wondering if anyone has had the same experience and if they have possibly found a better substitute than black electrical tape. Hopefully, this doesn't sound completely off the wall.

[robysue]

Back when I had an S9 AutoSet and kept having the hose develop a rip right at the edge of the coupling, I used plain old duck tape to repair the rip. And I don't remember any smudges on anything. Would that be an alternative?

[library lady]

Old-fashioned adhesive tape that was used for bandages when I was a kid is what comes to mind; it left sticky residue, but it's not as gummy as duct tape, plus it's white so it probably wouldn't leave smudges. Do they still make that stuff?

[chunkyfrog]

I used vetwrap. It also left sticky goo, but with a bit of elbow grease, it was removable.
Since I use a hose hanger now, it stays together without wrapping.
I rarely separate the hose from the mask, and never do it when I am tired silly.
That's when I used to destroy things.

[Hawthorne]

I use "quick connects". CPAP.COM has them. They are small plastic bits that fit into the end of the tubing and then to the tube on your mask. You never take the tubing off then. I do take them off when I wash the tubing - which isn't very often.

[JDS74]

Are you talking about the 6 foot CPAP hose or the short hose on the mask itself?

If it's the CPAP hose, then it sounds as if you are pulling on the corrugated part of the hose and not on the rubber connecting end. Don't do that, just pull on the rubber end without touching the corrugated part of the hose. In order for the hose to be light and flexible, it is made of very thin material and is subject to tearing if pulled on very hard.

If it's the mask connector hose ( maybe 5 inches long ), then don't take that off of the mask for cleaning. It is so short that it is easy to clean the mask and its parts with it connected.

If all else fails, off to the Home Store and get white electrical tape instead of black. No more black residue.

Of course, it would be helpful if you would list (register) your equipment.
I have a link on how to do that down in my signature block. Then we could see your mask and perhaps have better suggestions on how to avoid the problem.

[archangle]

I've bought 4 authentic Respironics unheated hoses from an eBay seller for $20 delivered.

If you practice a little and learn how to do it right, it's really easy to take the hose off with very little stress on the hose and the connector.

The trick is to put your thumb on the edge of the end of the rubber part of the hose. Then put two fingers, spread apart on the other side. One finger pushes on the back edge of the rubber fitting. The other finger pushes on the plastic connector as far away from the hose as you can. Then you squeeze the fingers toward the thumb such that the end of the hose opposite your thumb slides up the connector. Once you've gotten it started, it's usually pretty easy to take it off.

[Drowsy Dancer]

F4 tape? Rescue tape?

[oldie]

By all means get the 'quick connects' for every hose connection....make life easy.

[McSleepy]

There's always the self-fusing silicone tape, which does not have any adhesive (it sticks to itself, not the material you're taping): http://www.amazon.com/Rescue-Tape-Self- ... 76Y1MDNFRW. I don't disconnect my hose every morning but I'm using the same hose I was given 11 years ago, no tears.
McSleepy

[Hawthorne]

Yes! Get the "quick connects". I have used them for years on the end of the hose that connects to the humidifier and on the end that connects to the mask. So much easier and NO wear on the rubber end of the hose or anywhere else on the hose. I have used my hoses for many years with these and they are like new.

[kteague]

Can't believe I wasn't aware of the quick connect item. I've used white medical tape a few times, but I think I'll try the little gizmos.

[Hawthorne]

You'll be very glad you got the Quick connects!

[Sheriff Buford]

Also put a very (and I mean VERY) small amount of vaseline on the plastic fitting the hose connects to. It will allow the hose to easily slip on/off for a long time.


Sheriff

[archangle]

I find once I figured out the right way to take the hose off, it's really easy. I haven't damaged a hose in years and I take them off 4 or 5 times a day.