I mentioned in a previous topic that I bought a clustermasx a few years ago, but never used it because my episode was thankfully aborted.

Well now I got a rager episode going into full swing, and I hope to get an O2 tank tomorrow (Tuesday), and a high flow rate regulator maybe on Wednesday.

I'm unpacking this clustermasx for the first time, and I'm trying to figure out how to use it before I get the 02 tank.

So I connect stuff up like the photo and I find that the valve thingy allows me to breathe in thru the mask, but absolutely not breathe out at all. Completely blocked. I know that can't be right - ya gotta exhale somewhere!

Where am I going wrong here?

Note: a severe mechanical reasoning deficiency runs in my family and I am unfortunately not exempt. This could explain any bonehead oversights of mine that you may be able to point out!

Sigh, I guess I 'll forget about trying to use the mask and just stick the mouthpiece on the opposite end that the mask was connecting to and breathe in thru my mouth, out thru my nose (although the way the valves work I guess it'd be OK to breathe out my mouth also). Nothing wrong with just using the mouthpiece, as long as I don't breathe in through my nose, right?

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My guess is that you have the mask on the wrong end of the "T" valve.  Just put it on the other end, and it should work just fine.  You may need to use the adapter in order to do it.

In the picture, it is actually of the O2PTIMASK^TM, but the valve is the same.  Notice the direction of the little arrows on the yellow strips.

You have to move the mask, onto the other end of the "T" valve, otherwise you will take in ambient air, as well as oxygen in, and THAT is a no-no!

The mask and the mouthpiece MUST go on the same end.  If you can inhale, and not exhale, you are on the wrong end of the "T" valve.

As far as inhaling, and then exhaling through your mouth, or your nose, that is fine.  It makes no difference.

If you have skype, we can talk there, and I can turn on my webcam and actually show you how it goes.  If you DON'T have skype, you really should download it (for free) and use it!  MANY of us clusterheads chat or talk to each other using skype.

Let me know if you still have problems, we can talk on the phone, if you prefer. (I have free long distance service)

Good luck!

Chuck

I went through my pictures and found this picture of the ClusterMasx.

I modified the picture a bit, to accentuate the direction that the arrows must be.
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Pictures worth a thousand words!

Thank you Mr. McCluster Chuck!

Yeah it was just a matter of fishing out the adapter and utilizing it in order to fit the mask onto what I now realize (with your help) is the correct end of the T valve!

;D