How to Replace Glider Strap on F&P Nasal Mask

Well my cat Boris made a meal of the glider strap on my F&P 406, so I ordered a replacement glider strap. I easily removed the old one which was almost bitten through, but the strap holders on the mask frame are awfully tight, and I can't see how to force the new strap onto the mask's strap holders. I've tried pushing the strap in with the back of a spoon when my fingers failed to do the job, but no joy. I seem to be chewing up the new strap just by trying to push it into the holders on the frame.

Surely others must have managed this. How to?

Thx!

I've never done this, or seen the mask in person, but I did look at the photos.

I think you might have an easier time if you run the frame part under hot water for a minute. It should make the plastic more flexible and let you snap the strap into place.

Excellent advice, jdm! Worked like a charm. I did have to heat up each strap holder individually because it took a little bit to get the strap to snap into place. The back of a teaspoon worked well. I also pushed the outer ends of the strap into the holders figuring that if I chewed up the strap a bit, at least it wouldn't be in the center, where the strap needs to slide smoothly. Anyway, it snapped it pretty well using the spoon, but I had to run the mask frame under near scalding water.

Anyway, thanks!

Glad to help.

Now if I only had advice on getting the cat to stop chewing the mask.

But, come to think of it, hot water might work.

A spritzer bottle with room-temp water works, but I have to sleep with the stupid bottle, cuz I can't get to it on the night table. During the day, my mask is now in a drawer....

twokatmew wrote:Surely others must have managed this. How to?

I've had to do this only once or twice over the years, and as I recall it wasn't a particularly difficult task. It certainly didn't involve using hot water, but did involve a bit of pressure to get the slider into the retaining clips!

Cheers,

Bill