Headgear won't stay put

I have a situation that is probably easy to figure out, but I can't. Last week I got a new mask.. It is a Swift something or other with the set of three nasal pillows.. Now here is the problem.. I can't seem to keep the headgear on.. I am a gal with lots of curly hair and for whatever reason this headgear keeps slipping off.. I was so mad trying to get it to stay on the other night after fooling with it for 25 minutes I couldn't get to sleep and had to use my other mask.. I pulled on the velcro on the top and back and it just keeps coming off. I guess I should call the device place where I bought it and see if they can do anything, but thought I would see if anyone else ever had this problem and could tell me what I can do before I call them.. I did read the instruction booklet and did what it said and it still doesn't seem to stay on..

Ronnie

hmm - karen points out a flaw below

I copied this post from - go there and see if that works

viewtopic.php?p=327926#p327926

btw in that ufo13 post there are lots of ideas not just his


from viewtopic.php?t=15104 - the swift and swift LT lab rat awards - read and see what will work for you -

SWIFT


Marietjie
cork to seal end of Swift cylinder
Nov 4, 2008 subject: HOW I MODIFIED MY MASK TO PREVENT LEAKS! (SEE PHOTOS) to Marietjie for pictures and description -- using a cork and O ring to plug leaks at end of Swift cylinder
viewtopic.php?t=27187


Moby
pantyhose tights replacing headgear
Dec 30, 2007 subject: Swift 2 Pantyhose headgear to Di for modification and pictures -- using pantyhose tights to replace straps on the Swift II.
viewtopic.php?t=27187


svh
safety pin/sewing fix for Swift's backstrap
Nov 09, 2006 subject: Swift headgear modification for stability to svh3 for modification and pictures -- using safety pins (or sewing) to shorten and slightly change angle of back strap.
viewtopic.php?t=14991


ufo13
velcro fix for Swift's backstrap
Dec 03, 2005 subject: Tips for SWIFT users!! to ufo13 for modification using velcro strap to keep Swift's back strap from slipping upward.
viewtopic.php?t=5965


Tridens
Routing Swift's hose in front:
Aug 22 2005 subject: Solution for Swift side sleepers to Tridens for modification to place Swift's hose at front/center and Lori's pictures of the fix.
viewtopic.php?t=4290


_____________________________

Swift LT



feeling_better
extra strap and chinstrap pad to hold back strap down.
Oct 05, 2008 subject: How I prevent the back strap from slip for my mask to feeling_better for instructions and pictures - using velcro and a "chin" pad to keep strap at back of head from slipping up.
viewtopic.php?t=35274

feeling_better's revision/improvement to his strap fix:
Nov 28, 2008 subject: The mother of all stabilizers for Swift LT
viewtopic.php?t=36634

oldtimer47
O ring to reduce movement of the nasal pillow
Nov 09, 2006 subject: Swift headgear modification for stability to oldtimer47 for modification and pictures -- using O rings to reduce movement of the nasal pillows and help prevent them from popping out of nostrils.
viewtopic.php?p=274917#274917

feeling_better
string to absorb rainout
Sep 20, 2008 subject: My fix for rainout (condensation) in Swift LT nasal pillow to feeling_better for instructions and pictures - using string to soak up waterdrops in the nasal pillows assembly.
viewtopic.php?p=298845#298845

My basic concept is to put something on BEFORE your mask. A variety of things will work - you can just lay a bandanna over your head (you don't need to tie it) and then pull your mask on. I use my chinstrap as the "anchor" and then pull the headgear on over that. In fact, I just ditched my headgear and velcro my mask directly to the chinstrap, but I don't think your mask will work well with MY fix.

The PAP CAP comes to mind. It's designed to either be worn under your mask, or to replace your mask headgear entirely:

http://www.pur-sleep.com/content/?id=44
and
http://www.pur-sleep.com/products/produ ... category=6

You can wear it with or without the chinstrap. The chinstrap just velcroes on and off.

Pix of what I did to eliminate my headgear entirely:
http://s124.photobucket.com/albums/p36/ ... aise/CPAP/

Good luck!
Babs

I use another small, light pillows mask, the Opti-Life, and have the same problem.

I clip it to my hair using four of those triangle clips that snap in place (like dancers use to hold their hair in place), one on each side at my temples and one on each side just above the nape of my neck. When my hair was longer, I used to just pull it through the strap so the bottom strap was under my hair, but now that it's short, that doesn't work anymore.

LOL, birdshell, bless your heart!

birdshell wrote:I'm posting the entire URL here, but the whole address won't show, I just know it:
viewtopic.php?t=15104

Surely enough...it doesn't show here, but it does in the composition area.

Not getting to post the entire URL easily has been a thorn in my side too, ever since something was changed in the new message board format.

I work around it now by making sure I don't include the letters "http" at the beginning of a URL I want to have show. I make sure I've written the URL as starting only with "www"

"http" will get automatically added in front of the "www" after you post. That's ok. But if you ever go back to edit that post (that now has an automatic http added to it), the http changes yet again and becomes "viewtopic" stuff.

So...if you edit some little something, be sure to edit out the "http" again too.

Clear as mud? Took some practice (and some "#$%, I forgot to get rid of those http's that have now changed my URLs to "viewtopic"!!!") before I remembered to make SURE any URL I posted had only "www" in front of it. When I edit a post, I have to also edit out the automatic "http" appearances to prevent them from turning into "viewtopic" on the NEXT edit I do to the same post. grrrrr.

I'm going to write this one with just www in front of it (I won't write http in front), but when you see it here, the message board software will have automatically ADDED http in front:

viewtopic.php?t=15104

I have a Swift LT and a lot of hair. The back of my head is rather flat, not much of a bump there. My hair is fine and tends to get oily, (I shampoo daily).

Masks like the Swift ride up in the back and come loose. Same was true for the Optilife.

I use this device:
http://www.slumbergear.com/model004.html

It's VERY stable.

You can also try a ponytail. Tie the ponytail tight and slip the rear band of the headgear under it.