When I collected my new oxygen bottle today, I was supposed to get a non-rebreather mask. I was given a mask that looks like the one an EMT would use - clear plastic that fits over nose and mouth - no bag. I was told that this was a non-rebreather mask and that the one with the bag was a rebreather mask and would have to be specially ordered as not many people used them. HELP! Can I do anything to make the mask I have been given effective until I can sort this out?

Oh boy the misinformation given out still at times is just astounding.  They did not give you a rebreather from what you describe and they SHOULD know that! 

Not sure how you can rig it maybe someone else here knows how to do that, but you can order one from the CH.com store (link to the left) they are only about $28.00.

Hang in there!  Sending PF Vibes your way.

Okay, time to go MacGiver here! ;)

1: Order the optimask from the board here.

2: For now, take a 1 gallon ziploc bag. Cut a small hole in the bottom, run the tube from the output on your regulator into that hole and tape it up as secure as you can.

In the opposite side of the bag, cut another hole. Take the cardboard tube out of a roll of toilet paper, and tape it into that hole. You are now the proud owner of a Non Re Breather Bag.

Put your hand over the end of the cardboard roll, turn on the regulator. The bag will fill with 02, take a big huff off the tube, then cover it with your hand so it re-fills. Exhale, repeat. This will make sure your lungs get pure 02, essential to make 02 effective. Good luck.

Joe

That's bullsh . . .   Here is a rundown on masks:

Simple face mask -- no bag.

Partial non-rebreather: These have a half inch hole on either side of the nose, with one of those holes being covered by a one-way flap. Plus the bag of course.

Non-rebreather: has neither hole covered by the flap, and the bag

Rebreather: has both holes covered by the flap, and the bag.

Each comes in a short style (fits against the chin) and elongated style (fits over the chin).

When I worked in EMS the partial non-rebreather mask was our most commonly used item. Should not be hard to pick one up. It doesn't matter a whole lot whether you use a rebreather nonrebreather, or partial, because you'll turn up the flow rate. There is leakage around the mask itself anyhow. It's a less than perfect system. You may have to call the company and talk to a supervisor who doesn't give you stupid answers. Good luck!

Quote:

Non-rebreather: has neither hole covered by the flap, and the bag Rebreather: has both holes covered by the flap, and the bag.

It's the other way around. A non-rebreather lets no outside gas in, drawing only from the feed tube and what's built up in the bag. 100% pure O2.

From "non-rebreather mask" at Wikipedia:


Quote:

The non-rebreather mask covers both the nose and mouth of the patient and attaches with the use of an elastic cord around the patient's head. The NRB has an attached reservoir bag, typically 1.5 liters, that connects to an external oxygen tank. Before an NRB is placed on the patient, the reservoir bag is inflated to greater than two-thirds full of oxygen, at a rate of 15 liters per minute (lpm)[1]. Approximately ¹⁄₃ of the air from the reservoir is depleted as the patient inhales, and it is then replaced by the flow from the O2 supply. If the bag becomes completely deflated, the patient will no longer have a source of air to breathe. Exhaled air is directed through a one-way valve in the mask, which prevents the inhalation of room air and the re-inhalation of exhaled air. The valve, along with a sufficient seal around the patient's nose and mouth, allows for the administration of high concentrations of oxygen, 60–90% O2.[2][3] Strictly, "non-rebreather" masks are "partial-rebreather" (PRB) masks; ideally, a non-rebreather mask would not permit air from the surrounding environment to be inhaled. However, since not all of the exhaled air is completely removed by the one-way valve and the seal created by the mask is imperfect, intake of some exhaled and outside air is unavoidable.

And, this is all moot if you buy the BEST non-rebreather mask for cluster headache sufferers - The O₂ptimask. No elastic strap - you hold it's soft, air-cushioned neoprene against your face for an airtight seal. Or you use the mouthpiece, which also creates an airtight seal.

You can buy one by clicking on the ch.com store link to the left.

The O2ptimask already recommended from the CH.com store is the kitty's meow when it comes to masks for CH.  It was designed for us specifically, and it works wonders.  The 3 liter bag allows enough O2 flow to handle higher flow rates, but I still rarely have mine fill up.  With the old NRB masks and the 1 liter bag I felt like I was suffocating.  Now I can kill a hit within 5-8 mins at 25 lpm.

Jerry

JustNotRight wrote on Dec 4^th, 2010 at 8:02am:

Oh boy the misinformation given out still at times is just astounding.  They did not give you a rebreather from what you describe and they SHOULD know that!  Not sure how you can rig it maybe someone else here knows how to do that, but you can order one from the CH.com store (link to the left) they are only about $28.00. Hang in there!  Sending PF Vibes your way.

FYI
I meant to say Non-rebreather in my post above...

Sorry with all the CH hits I've been getting lately thinking and typing are not my strong suits right now

Ginger, you need apologize for nothing. As Brew demonstrated, he (and we) have got your back. Thanks for fightin' through the pain just to help out others. God bless! lance :)

Thanks Lance.  Between my Dad and myself I've lost count how many times we've said...
"I want a Headectomy"

Standing up, grabbing my head, turning around 3 times
"I want to go home, I want to go home, I want to go home." 
It worked for Dorothy why not me too...  ::)

Thanks everyone for your comments and advice. Ginger, I've got to agree - at one point I just wanted to take my brain out, put it in a jar and have a rest! Anyway, 6 straight pf days since I picked up the not quite right mask - a few patches of heavy shadowing but nothing too horrible - so haven't had to use it yet. This is the longest I've gone without a hit this cycle so I've got everything crossed.

Hoping the ends in sight for this go round Barbara!

joe