How I Rigged Up a Homemade Anti-Rollover Backpack

I got a pamphlet for a strap-on backback that was essentially an air bladder that was vertically cylindrical. Im a natural backsleeper and without some kind of restraint (other than my wife waking me) I'll roll straight onto my back and stay like that all night causing apneas even with cpap.

Before ordering one, I decided to tinker with what I had here at the house and honed it into something that works almost perfectly:

1. Took a medium-to large sized Janpak backpack out that had good padded straps

2. Placed a sturdy plastic ball that completely filled up the backpack. You can use anything from a basketball to a large rubber kickball to
a very sturdy plastic round ball from Wal Mart. Make sure the ball fits tight in the pack--in this case the bigger the better. Weight is not a big
issue, at least for me, because the pack and ball are essentially laying on the bed all night. This is not the time or place for some tiny ball not much bigger than six inches across. You need something good sized, comfortable, and sturdy.

Slept a few nights and figured out that the unit was moving sideways on me allowing me to roll onto my back anyway

3. Took an old leather belt and cut small slits on each side of the pack at the packs' bottom, and then cinched the belt around my waist and directly through the side of the pack that would be positioned directly against my back........ which held it firmly but comfortably in place.

4. I occasionally still make the stupid mental mistake of taking the occasional nap without the rig on. Dont try it, because even an hours nap can result in a nasty apnea or awakening feeling awful because you rolled straight onto your back and were not breathing right. Natural back sleepers who suffer worse apneas during suppine position will know what Im talking about here.

Problem solved. I cannot roll onto my back. It keeps me firmly on my side all night. Luckily wearing the pack doesnt bother me but its a good thing we have aking sized bed because between that and the hose and sleeping on my side, i take up a good half the bed!

Saved myself 80 bucks in the process just using stuff I had here.

Hi David

Good thinking

It is amazing what a bit of imagination can achieve .

I agree that a large ball makes much more sense than a tennis ball. Well done.

However, if your wife gets fed up with cuddling a backpack, you might find that a leg positioner works just as well

http://www.the-pillow.com.au/more/side_ ... r_more.php

cheers

Mars