Swift...preference on tube placement

yawn · Post by **yawn** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 6:17 pm

I have been watching postings on the swift mask and it seems that most people prefer to have the tube turned toward the top of their head vs. pointing down toward their bodies. I was wondering why you prefer that position? I just picked up a Swift mask today (to try) and wanted to get people's opinions.
Thanks!

Sleepyman · Post by **Sleepyman** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 6:25 pm

I don't prefer it up but mine leaks more when down, I like it loose and comfortable. Might just be my round face.

yawn · Post by **yawn** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 6:48 pm

uh oh...my face is pretty round tooooo. I guess I'll just have to play with it and see what works for me.

cinnabar · Post by **cinnabar** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 7:41 pm

I definitely prefer the "down the body" position. Given the location of my CPAP unit and hose, it is the best way to reduce torque at the connection point of the tube to the mask. And torque can cause bigtime leakage!

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 9:08 pm

The up position for me and IMHO has less leaking and shifting, it does not leave marks on my face the next morning, is more comfortable to sleep on the side with and keeps the hose vout of my way. But they supply a loop to adjust so they admit going in some will like one and some the other.

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 9:22 pm

I just like running it UP, because it leaks less.
I also find where you attach it to the headgear with that loop makes a big difference. I prefer it just below the Y of the bridle, but some people like it above.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 9:25 pm

I like any mask's hose routed upward since I hang the main air hose up higher than my head, at headboard area. Lets me toss 'n turn like a fish on the end of a slack line without getting tangled up in a hose.

yawn · Post by **yawn** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 9:41 pm

Well, that's quite the visual image.
How do you secure it above the headboard??? I have visions of doing major construction with hard hats and everything.
Amy

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 10:49 pm

Rested Gal, I can tell you have done a little fishing in your day.

Now, I find I DO get tangled up if I secure it to my headboard.

m_l · Post by **m_l** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 10:51 pm

I have only had my Swift now for a few days. But so far the up position seems to work best for me. Might change with time tho.

I'm going to try something similar like rested gal has done with hose. I get tangled with the hose also. Rested gal can you explain how you did it?

Mike

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IWannaSleep · Post by **IWannaSleep** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 12:25 am

I'm an upper too. I secure the main hose to my headboard using a length of stretchable elastic bandage. Fortunately my headboard has a series of locations to tie up to. For me it's more about hose control and keeping it up out of the way. I also find by using the velcro loop that came with the swift that if I pull on the hose by turning just wrong, the loop absorbs the pull instead of the swivel joint at the barrel, which would cause a leak.

ron

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 12:45 am

Well, that's quite the visual image.

Heheh, it is, isn't it? LOL! Actually, it's not an original from me...the "fish on the end of a slack line" image. I read it first by Biker on the TAS message board. Pretty descriptive, so I borrow it from time to time.

You can use lots of methods to get the main air hose up out of the way. IWannaSleep described a very good way to do it.

I don't have a headboard, so I put a hook on the wall (actually, I used a horizontal plant hanger with a short swivel arm) to hang a ponytail scrunchy on. I run the main air hose through the scrunchy. It keeps the main air hose hanging about a foot above my head, completely out of my way.

I've read of nailing a scrunchy to the back of a headboard, so that the nail doesn't mar the front. Or draping the hose over headboard, but it might slip if just "draped".

Some use a bungee looped on the headboard, running the air hose through the loop. Or use a clamp to hold a scrunchy. ("Scrunchy" = fabric covered round piece of elastic to hold a ponytail...hair accessories section of any pharmacy, WalMart, etc.)

One of the simplest ways I've read about is Jeff V's "sock ball" idea. Would work behind a headboard, or without a headboard as Jeff describes it:

Jeff V's solution - a sock ball wedged behind head of bed:

I tied a couple of clean old socks around my hose several times (in a strategic location) to create a large ball. Then I pulled the bed away from the wall, put the ball between the bed and the wall and pushed the bed back in place, with the sock ball jammed between. Now the hose forms a small loop over my head when I sleep. No pulling at all; and when the bed is made, everything is out of sight.

I don't need a humidifier, so I never have to wash my hose; don't know what kind of issue this would create for washing the hose.

I keep another hose in my travel bag and when I travel I leave the socked hose at home in place, with tissue stuffed in the ends to keep the cat hairs out.

m_l · Post by **m_l** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 10:31 am

rested gal,

I'm going to try one of your suggestions over the weekend.

Thanks
Mike

Swift...preference on tube placement

Swift...preference on tube placement

Tube position for Swift mask