Hi, I'm new here and haven't been able to post my intro correctly yet, but I have somewhat of an emergency.

I just got an O2 tank this evening and they sent the wrong type of mask (it isn't the non rebreather...I have to get them to send it tomorrow). Can someone please advise on how to make the regular mask work for now? I am desperate to try the O2 correctly...had a tank in the past that I used wrong, so I need to know if it can work for me. I am really tired, and if pattern's right I'm due later on tonight. Don't want to take Zomig (think I've had too much in my system, started to get constant rebound). Don't want to resort to narcs. Please help. Thanks, everybody. Peace.

Did you get a mask or the nose cannula?  With a regular mask, it's not a complete waste of time to use it until you get the right mask.  Does your regulator go up to 25lpm?  High flow can over come the problem (inefficiently, however) with the wrong mask.

I did get the mask...I asked for the right mask, and when they even said they'd sent them to CH folks, I trusted they knew. They didn't send the non rebreather. And it's up to 15 lpm...that's as much as I could get them to put on the prescription. Is there a way to use this mask for now to make sure I'm getting best effect?

Tape the holes on the sides of the mask shut. When inhaling make sure you get only O2, then lift the mask to exhale. Getting no outside air is important. And inhale and exhale as fast as you can.

If you haven't read the "oxygen info" (in yellow) on the links at the left of this screen, please do.

Also get on the O2 as soon as you feel a hit coming.

Good Luck, Don

Thank you, Don!

For better safety, if the mask has a strap, remove it and don't use it.   

I have to say it once again:

What has cutting off the strap to do with safety? Sure, there is the remote possibility that you fall asleep while huffing oxygen AND the tank runs empty after some time AND you don't wake up when you fall off the chair. But how often does this happen? Has anybody some figures (from a reliable source)?

On the other hand, a real danger would be if I can't put on the glasses on a loose mask. Walking around half blind it is easy to tangle up the feet in the hose or stumble over the cat and make a potentially fatal fall.

This strap-cutting is for me akin to the recommendation to put on your knight's armor when going outside, to be protected from a possible meteor hit.  ::)


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Get an O₂ptimask and the strap is a moot point.

ASG - Safety percautions are ALWAYS a wise choice of space. We also recommend NOT SMOKING while the O2 is IN USE.

This MAY seem like a waste of time to warn someone NOT to do it, but it HAS happened in the past and most of us would just as soon NOT hear about the pitfalls of THAT again (and NO, there wasn't an explosion).

And besides, HOLDING the mask up to your face gives a much tighter fit than with the strap. That's another reason for cutting off the strap.

Hugs BD :-*

So Brew and Barb think it's ok if I break my neck because I can't see a thing. Maybe they're right, after all it's time this geezer makes room for the youngones. Thank you.

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AlienSpaceGuy wrote on Aug 21^st, 2009 at 11:39am:

possibility that you fall asleep while huffing oxygen [b] On the other hand, a real danger would be if I can't put on the glasses on a loose mask. Walking around half blind it is easy to tangle up the feet in the hose or stumble over the cat and make a potentially fatal fall.                  [smiley=smokin.gif]

Sorry, I don't understand what you're saying here. If you can't see - sit down while you're on the O2. Your mask needs to be a 'tight' fit to work well.

And honey, you've got to be REALLY old to be OLDER than me ;), but thanks for the compliment... :-*

I never said anything of the sort.

Having a bad day, Ueli?

I haven't laughed all day, but you guys are funny.

I am wondering about the strap...at my peak, I usually don't like much on my face, so this is going to be a feat regardless. I keep thinking yes to the strap because I don't fall asleep easily AND last night trying for the first time using my hands was hard. I'm so fidgety that it made me more tense to have to hold the mask. Keep in mind that I was also using the wrong mask - I'd taped the holes and was trying to maneuver...oh, too hard to explain, and it didn't work.

I'd like to try the strap, but a mask that stays in place without anything holding it will be ideal...gonna check it out. I have the right mask now, so we'll see!

Feel free to make me laugh anytime.

Poet,

Just make sure the mask is a "tight" fit - you don't want any outside air getting in - don't lose any O2.

Then you might want to get some frozen peas out and pop them on the back of your neck - there's usually a "cluster knot" there. For some reason the frozen peas help (at least they do me - some people like heat).   Actually it gives me something to do with "both" my hands and that way I don't get hold of sharp or hard instruments and can't hurt myself (like banging my head with a baseball bat or something else just as foolish).

One thing you're gonna find out is that we all handle our hits differently. I mostly rock back and forth while pulling my hair and ear - others pace, claw at their legs or arms, bang heads on walls, etc... each has their own choice of "hit protocol". You do what works for you.

And as to the laughter. My theory is that it's still the "best medicine", for anything. Glad you got a chuckle out of us. Just wait till you meet a few of us in person. Now that's hillarious...

Hugs BD :-*

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This strap-cutting is for me akin to the recommendation to put on your knight's armor when going outside, to be protected from a possible meteor hit.

Now that is funny!!

BarbaraD wrote on Aug 21^st, 2009 at 11:52am:

ASG - Safety percautions are ALWAYS a wise choice of space. We also recommend NOT SMOKING while the O2 is IN USE. This MAY seem like a waste of time to warn someone NOT to do it, but it HAS happened in the past and most of us would just as soon NOT hear about the pitfalls of THAT again (and NO, there wasn't an explosion).

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fires involving medical oxygen account for an average of 1190 Emergency Room visits for burns, 182 house fires, and 46 fatalities per year.

73% of these fires were caused by smoking.  Both the NFPA and the AMA advise that there should be NO smoking in any home in which medical oxygen is used.  Period.  A word to the wise.

Regards,
Jim

The N.F.P.A. information is for ALL medical O2 users and may not include any Clusterheads. It would be more helpful to know how these fires started.

I can tell you about one, this person changed his furnace and cook stove to non flame units for safety. Then while cooking and using O2, when his O2 tube touched the cooking burner, it caught fire and burned him.

Following the instructions, verbal & written, given by our medical O2 suppliers  will keep O2 useage safe.

Some quotes form my "Patient Instruction" manual; Oxygen will not explode or burn but will increase the flammability of objects near the concentrated oxygen., Keep O2 equipment,tubbing & canulas at least 10 feet away from any heat source such as flames, candles, space heaters, ciggarettes, etc. Smoking should not be permitted in the same room where oxygen is in use or stored.

While not the complete instructions these are the basics. Following these and all saftey instructions will keep you safe. Safety starts with each of us.

Don

Common sense is best applied to all things in life.

O2 will cause things to burn rather brightly that don't normally burn easily. Don't let O2 get near things that can start the burning process.

I would suspect that the accidents occur when folks learn that O2 is actually quite safe - then they get sloppy.

Like wearing your seat belt............

... or like wearing a knight's armour when going outside. You might be hit by a meteorite.

Some call it paranoia.


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AlienSpaceGuy wrote on Aug 21^st, 2009 at 11:39am:

What has cutting off the strap to do with safety? Sure, there is the remote possibility that you fall asleep while huffing oxygen AND the tank runs empty after some time AND you don't wake up when you fall off the chair.

Actually, I have fallen asleep and awoke to an empty tank in the past.  This is why I get many "E" tanks instead of one big one. 

It's like when maybe the third time your up that night and stay on the tank a bit longer to try and knock this baby down for good.  The combination of being so tired and the relief of a hit subsiding might make me sit more comfortably while I try to finish it off.  This can knock me out very easily, oxygen can make me sleepy at this point, best that it falls away. 



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On the other hand, a real danger would be if I can't put on the glasses on a loose mask. Walking around half blind it is easy to tangle up the feet in the hose or stumble over the cat and make a potentially fatal fall.

Yeah, I don't wear my glasses with a mask and can see focused about eight inches.  Wandering out of bed without glasses is definitely hazardous with a hit in the night, so kept in the bedroom, a familiar two steps from the bed.  When it was farther things happened, like running into walls, doors, and corners.  Just keeping it as easy as possible, I don't count on thinking properly at the time.  Sometimes I don't even remember how many times I got up during the night.

I've been disappointed in myself waking to an empty tank, it would have happened with a strap on anyway, but I was relieved I had no strap.   




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But how often does this happen? Has anybody some figures (from a reliable source)?

I haven't read of a tragic occurrence with a strap, but I won't take the chance at all after waking to a few emptied tanks in the past.