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x wrote: Quick question for you about the Hybrid.

I recently obtained a Hybrid, and I'm enjoying it (only two nights so far, but decent results and fairly comfy). My question: Is there any type of "quick-connector" you use between the mask and the hose?

My FullLife has an easy-release clip where the mask meets the hose, and I like that feature, so I'm looking for something similar to use with the Hybrid. I checked cpap.com, but I'm not finding any connectors that will work for this purpose.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

If you are talking about nocturia runs, I don't recommend quick connectors between the hose and mask. We already have plenty of hardware on and near our face and IMO, another piece should not be added.

What works elegantly for me is a quick connector between the humidifier and the hose. For the nocturia run, I just turn off the machine, pull the hose loose from the machine, wrap the hose around my neck twice, and then off to do my business.

This is a simple way to do it and the quick connector makes it easy to remove the hose and put it in a drawer at dawn. Here is the connector: https://www.cpap.com/productpage/hose-q ... nnect.html .

I did not want to pay the S&H for such a cheap item so I asked my B&M DME if they had a spare lying around and they did and gave it to me. Before anyone jumps to the conclusion that the DME was “customer friendly”, let me say that I think he was just glad to get rid of me. (I can be as obnoxious in person as I am on the board.)

Oh, if you go this route be sure not to let the end of the hose fall into the potty!

Good luck,

I actually have one of those quick connectors on my hose between the hose and the mask. It is easy to disconnect for a trip to the bathroom and I don't have the hose to deal with at all.

The quick connector stays on my hose and I have had no problem using it between the mask and the hose. It makes no difference but sure is great!

I use it with any mask and have the Hybrid as a backup for when I am congested so it has also been used wthe Hybrid - no problem.

I have the gray Respironics elbow connector on the end of the hose that goes on the humidifier. Easy removal there too and no wear on either end of the hose!

I'm confused... My Hybrid came with a straight-thru "swivel" connector that goes between the hose and elbow. It's a simple thing to pull it out of the elbow for "night calls", as long as you haven't jammed them together. Both the swivel and elbow are hard plastic so it's not like wrestling with a soft hose collar. A quick twist'n'pull and Bob's your uncle...

LinkC - I just looked at my Hybrid and it seems it should come apart as you suggest but does not. At least I can't get it apart. The little quick connect item accomplishes the same thing for me, even though it is an extra piece. It weighs virtually nothing and is only a couple of inches long.

At any rate, I like to keep the quick connect on the hose for all masks.

It's a friction fit. Mine was apart when I got it and after I jammed it together I had a hard time "unplugging" it. But I knew it wasn't glued or anything and I muscled it loose. Now I know to mate it gently and it will stay in, but I can still get it apart. I assume it's designed to be a QD point.

Sounds like you have an alternate solution, but I'll bet yours would come apart with a good tug with a little twist. (But I'm not buying you a new one if you break it.... )

I woke up in a fog one morning and plunged the shell with that connector attached and now they won't separate...called RespCare customer service who said not to worry about it, just leave them connected as it can break with too much pressure applied.

LinkC - You won't buy me a new one of I break it???????

In that case, I'll keep my alternate solution!!

Muse--
If I COULD REMEMBER back to HS Physics class, I would recommend either hot water or ice water to expand/contract it enough to get it apart. (I honestly don't see how it could break as long as you don't put "bending" force on it...or pull from the end and break it at the swivel part. But no money-back guarantee for you, either!

I asked about that -- they emphatically said "no" to the idea of warmth on the outside after cooling the whole shell; they thought it'd deform or crack. Anyway, works OK as is. Thanks LinkC! Might try it when I get another shell at some pt.

rooster wrote:wrap the hose around my neck twice, and then off to do my business.

Braggart!

Hawthorne wrote:LinkC - I just looked at my Hybrid and it seems it should come apart as you suggest but does not. At least I can't get it apart. The little quick connect item accomplishes the same thing for me, even though it is an extra piece. It weighs virtually nothing and is only a couple of inches long.

At any rate, I like to keep the quick connect on the hose for all masks.

Don't worry. I see you have cats. They will eventually figure it out for you!

I just attach and detach the hose when I need to relieve myself. Not to be sexist, but from what I have seen of many women, they seem to lack strength in their hands for certain types of finger operations and might find a pull-off disconnect easier to use. (One good example is removing a BNC connector, a very common connector in video work. It is removed by a push-turn-pull move. Many women have serious trouble with that operation.)

As far as heat/cold goes, try just running warm water on the outer part. Be quick, and it might just expand enough to easily slide apart. Plastics typically have a rather large coefficient of expansion, and are only modest conductors of heat.

timbalionguy - you are not being sexist. The fact is though, that I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and don't have a lot of hand strength anymore. Can't speak for other women though but wouldn't want to "generalize"!!!!

timbalionguy wrote:...Plastics typically have a rather large coefficient of expansion, and are only modest conductors of heat.

Thanks! Nice to know.

timbalionguy wrote:I just attach and detach the hose when I need to relieve myself. Not to be sexist, but from what I have seen of many women, they seem to lack strength in their hands for certain types of finger operations and might find a pull-off disconnect easier to use. (One good example is removing a BNC connector, a very common connector in video work. It is removed by a push-turn-pull move. Many women have serious trouble with that operation.)

Hey! I connected and disconnected many, many BNC connectors without any problem during my career. I've had trouble opening pickle jars all my life, however.