Cervical collars: recommend foam with holes punched in?

I seem to have had bad experiences with solid foam cervical collars which keep my jaw up. The 3" height and support are okay but my neck gets too warm and sweaty from the two I've tried. Regarding my question. I have some mt bicycle foam pads for my knees and when they ripped a few months ago I noted that the foam underneath had a lattice of foam and holes (like a checkerboard)... maybe foam 60% and holes 40%. These knee-pads feel great even on the hottest days while riding my mt bike however I wonder if this technology is available in a cervical collar. Seems like a slam dunk for a successful product but then who knows? Suggestions or recommendations appreciated. I know I could cut open the fabric covering and drill/cut holes in the solid foam but I'd like to find a product that incorporates that feature.

Haven't seen anything, anywhere except the usual type cervical collars. This just may be a DIY project... would be interested in seeing how/what you did. It's a terrific idea... might make you lots of $$.

Sir NoddinOff wrote:my neck gets too warm and sweaty

Maybe you could fashion a St. Bernard's brandy keg like the one Kiralynx describes here - viewtopic/t37348/Using-Neck-Brace-to-ke ... -Open.html

Or, turn your A/C down.

Forget foam; and get some stiff bonded fiberfill like what they use in outdoor pillows/cushions.
This material is firm and springy, but air passes through easily, so it will dry quickly in case of rain.
This could be covered with soft quilted fabric, or the knit tube from a regular neck collar.
The nice thing is the fiberfill I have seen comes in layers, so cutting the right size should be easy.

ChicagoGranny wrote:

Sir NoddinOff wrote:my neck gets too warm and sweaty

Maybe you could fashion a St. Bernard's brandy keg like the one Kiralynx describes here - viewtopic/t37348/Using-Neck-Brace-to-ke ... -Open.html

Or, turn your A/C down.

or put a little fan in the front

I started wearing a cervical collar a few weeks ago thanks to threads I read here about how it helped some folks. I love it, and it has really helped to reduce those stubborn residual apneas and hypopneas that I could not eliminate with higher pressure because I have a tendency to develop clear airway events, so higher pressure is somewhat out of the question. The flow limitations are also vastly improved since wearing the collar.

So yet again I have this forum to thank for the advice re cervical collars. Have I mentioned that I think this place rocks?

But I agree that some sort of "ventilation" in the foam would be a great idea Sir NoddinOff because sometimes I do feel a little sweaty around the neck.

Arlene1963 wrote:I started wearing a cervical collar a few weeks ago thanks to threads I read here about how it helped some folks. I love it, and it has really helped to reduce those stubborn residual apneas and hypopneas that I could not eliminate with higher pressure because I have a tendency to develop clear airway events, so higher pressure is somewhat out of the question. The flow limitations are also vastly improved since wearing the collar.

When I am rooming with friends, they generally accept CPAP, but look at my collar like I am strange. So, it's good to hear others have found all the benefits from the collar that I enjoy. Thanks.

palerider wrote:or put a little fan in the front

Good idea! Sir Noddin could drill a few holes and insert a few of these -

Sir NoddinOff wrote:I seem to have had bad experiences with solid foam cervical collars which keep my jaw up. The 3" height and support are okay but my neck gets too warm and sweaty from the two I've tried. Regarding my question. I have some mt bicycle foam pads for my knees and when they ripped a few months ago I noted that the foam underneath had a lattice of foam and holes (like a checkerboard)... maybe foam 60% and holes 40%. These knee-pads feel great even on the hottest days while riding my mt bike however I wonder if this technology is available in a cervical collar. Seems like a slam dunk for a successful product but then who knows? Suggestions or recommendations appreciated. I know I could cut open the fabric covering and drill/cut holes in the solid foam but I'd like to find a product that incorporates that feature.

You're a handy guy, why don't you just make up one out of the foam? All you need is something at the front of your throat, under your chin. I've used a 2'"X4"X8" (approximate) piece of foam wrapped in a bandana fitted under my chin and fastened around my neck - which stayed in place and worked as well or better than my "real" collar. The "real" collars have side support which I don't think is needed for this application.

ChicagoGranny wrote:

palerider wrote:or put a little fan in the front

Good idea! Sir Noddin could drill a few holes and insert a few of these -

Very funny granny... glad to see your well earned years haven't diminished your sense of humor!

It's odd that there is nothing out there like that. I'm now thinking of ripping apart those old mt bike knee-pads with the ventilation holes and re-purposing them into a cervical collar of my own making. It might take awhile due to experimentation and I'll have to somehow get the knee-pad foam clean from all the grime and sweat (if that's possible... hopefully it is closed cell foam, otherwise it might be a lost cause).

Jay Aitchsee wrote: You're a handy guy, why don't you just make up one out of the foam? All you need is something at the front of your throat, under your chin. I've used a 2'"X4"X8" (approximate) piece of foam wrapped in a bandana fitted under my chin and fastened around my neck - which stayed in place and worked as well or better than my "real" collar. The "real" collars have side support which I don't think is needed for this application.

Good point, Jay! I agree about the side support... others have mentioned C-shaped collars but I haven't seen those yet.

chunkyfrog wrote:Forget foam; and get some stiff bonded fiberfill like what they use in outdoor pillows/cushions.
This material is firm and springy, but air passes through easily, so it will dry quickly in case of rain.
This could be covered with soft quilted fabric, or the knit tube from a regular neck collar.
The nice thing is the fiberfill I have seen comes in layers, so cutting the right size should be easy.

Uh oh, I'd have to grab my wife's old Singer sewing machine out of the attic... worth checking out tho. I wonder if there would be enough neck support vs multiple layers?

Sir NoddinOff wrote:It's odd that there is nothing out there like that.

I have one that I use for 12-minute naps without CPAP. Need to take a pic and post it here.

ChicagoGranny wrote:

Sir NoddinOff wrote:It's odd that there is nothing out there like that.

I have one that I use for 12-minute naps without CPAP. Need to take a pic and post it here.

I would definitely appreciate the info and pic of that.

Sir Nodinoff, You can use these Trachea Opening Collars which have a ready made hole for your ventilation:

http://cdn.opentip.com/Health-Personal- ... ct_related

avi123 wrote:Sir Nodinoff, You can use these Trachea Opening Collars which have a ready made hole for your ventilation:

http://cdn.opentip.com/Health-Personal- ... ct_related

Who could sleep with that thing? If needed in the hospital, I could understand. But, sleeping with it every night??? Gawd.