Head Strap location

Generally, is the head strap supposed to go below the part of the head that curves back in? In my case that is very low on my head, and putting the strap there feels "natural" to me, but I've yet to find a mask that really wants to go there. On the other hand if I keep the strap above that point it tends to want to slide up and off my head.

Am I the only person with CPAP and a weird head structure? LOL

khauser wrote:Generally, is the head strap supposed to go below the part of the head that curves back in? In my case that is very low on my head, and putting the strap there feels "natural" to me, but I've yet to find a mask that really wants to go there. On the other hand if I keep the strap above that point it tends to want to slide up and off my head.

Am I the only person with CPAP and a weird head structure? LOL

The strap should go below the occipital bun as you found feels natural.



You may need to adjust the top strap to get the nasal pillows to fit right ... snug but not crammed up your nose.

Also consider the PapCap as it provides a very stable platform for headgear and keeps your straps from slipping around over your head.



https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pursle ... otton.html

Thanks for the fast reply!

That's what I thought. As I said I find it difficult to configure the mask that way. The local DME was useless in this ... I showed it to her and she put the strap above and said it'll be fine there. It is fine, as long as I am seated. As soon as I fall asleep it moves up and off, as I said.

So I ignored her advice (yet another reason I don't think local DME's are necessarily great, though I am sure there are some excellent ones) and tried adjust the top strap to make it possible to positing the head strap where it wants to be. That tends (at least with the current mask) to make the pillows fall off of the nose.

I'm going to try a different mask ... the Aloha looks like it might have an easier time with this.

At least now I know I'm on the right track!

The back strap on the Swift FX is a known "creeper"....likes to creep up the back of the head for a lot of people.
Some people have added a bit of velcro to that back strap so that the little gripper things on the velcro sort of stick to their hair and help limit the upward creep. Doesn't work so great if someone doesn't have much hair back there.

I was going to suggest the ALoha for you.. it won't tend to creep up as easily and will likely be a little more stable for you.
I use the Swift FX primarily but I have used the Aloha and it comes in a real close second in my mask preference list.

Do whatever is most comfortable. I don't even wear my mask in the correct position. I didn't realize it until I opened a new set and fitted it in the mirror as stated in the directions. It was not as comfortable and I checked my old one and I totally had it different because I did that adjusting away from the mirror and by feel.

For a fine pate as yours, I would recommend you apply a patch of this stuff to the inside of that back strap, and let it dry before using.
http://www.michaels.com/Aleene's%C2%AE- ... lt,pd.html
(Hmmm, I might try this on an older élan cushion where it wants to slide, or even on the wing edges when they get a little scratchy)

chunkyfrog wrote:For a fine pate as yours, I would recommend you apply a patch of this stuff to the inside of that back strap, and let it dry before using.
http://www.michaels.com/Aleene's%C2%AE- ... lt,pd.html
(Hmmm, I might try this on an older élan cushion where it wants to slide, or even on the wing edges when they get a little scratchy)

I suppose that's less painful than using real tacks

I didn't realize that picture made me look bald. That's not exactly the case ... it's more like the hair slipped backwards, so I have a high forehead. I have definitely thinned out, but in the back I still have a pony-tail (it's less anti-establishment and more avoiding the barber because it tends to hurt my already hurt back).

Great idea though, for those that wouldn't lose hair over it!

Thanks for the great feedback, all!

chunkyfrog wrote:For a fine pate as yours, I would recommend you apply a patch of this stuff to the inside of that back strap, and let it dry before using.
http://www.michaels.com/Aleene's%C2%AE- ... lt,pd.html
(Hmmm, I might try this on an older élan cushion where it wants to slide, or even on the wing edges when they get a little scratchy)

Thanks for the idea, I have yet to find any head strap that will stay put on the back of my head. With the swift fx I had to wear a chin strap over the fx straps to keep it in place and with the optilife I end up pulling it back down in back a couple times a night. Maybe the tack stuff will fix it, or, I'll end up with a lot less hair!

Pachyderm's Nose wrote:

chunkyfrog wrote:For a fine pate as yours, I would recommend you apply a patch of this stuff to the inside of that back strap, and let it dry before using.
http://www.michaels.com/Aleene's%C2%AE- ... lt,pd.html
(Hmmm, I might try this on an older élan cushion where it wants to slide, or even on the wing edges when they get a little scratchy)

Thanks for the idea, I have yet to find any head strap that will stay put on the back of my head. With the swift fx I had to wear a chin strap over the fx straps to keep it in place and with the optilife I end up pulling it back down in back a couple times a night. Maybe the tack stuff will fix it, or, I'll end up with a lot less hair!

Like I keep saying ... a properly fitted PapCap will keep your headgear (regardless of mask type) firmly planted on your head in addition to keeping your jaw in place and mitigating mouth leaks.

PapCap? First I've heard of this. A quick search suggests this is a chinstrap. I'm not understanding how it helps...

Like I keep saying ... a properly fitted PapCap will keep your headgear (regardless of mask type) firmly planted on your head in addition to keeping your jaw in place and mitigating mouth leaks.

Yeah, but I don't want MORE headgear, I'm trying to get by with less. My optilife has an integral chinstrap that is as good as either chin strap I've tried at preventing chin drop. I just want the back-of-head strap to stay down where it will be effective.

khauser wrote:PapCap? First I've heard of this. A quick search suggests this is a chinstrap. I'm not understanding how it helps...

Worn over your mask headgear it can help keep the straps where you want them.

The deluxe Papcap can replace part or all of some headgear, in addition to holding your chin in a sling.
As a carrier of MPB, not a sufferer, my head gets way too hot wearing any kind of cap indoors.
Even chin straps make my scalp sweaty. Minimalism helps keep my head dry.

chunkyfrog wrote:The deluxe Papcap can replace part or all of some headgear, in addition to holding your chin in a sling.
As a carrier of MPB, not a sufferer, my head gets way too hot wearing any kind of cap indoors.
Even chin straps make my scalp sweaty. Minimalism helps keep my head dry.

I would have that problem too. I sweat at the thought of sweating.