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billinVA

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I'm back and a question regarding my mask
Jan 26^th, 2017 at 11:05pm

Hello my friends...It's been three years and they have returned. I am blessed that this is only my seventh round of dealing with these suckers. I'm 60 years old, live in Virginia, and I have a family who is understanding of what I go thru during my 6-8 weeks of agony. Mine typically come at night, 2-4 each night is pretty standard. As I enter the cycle, exhaustion catches up and I do have them during the day at times. Duration of "headache" is from 30-90 mins. I do know that as these go, I am very, very fortunate.

I have a question and any help would be greatly appreciated. I purchased the non-rebreather mask/Cluster 02 kit from CH.com. This system is new to me. I am very impressed with the product quality, quick shipping and price. THANK YOU DJ. My question is regarding the exhale. With the mask held firmly in place, when I exhale, the air is not able to escape effectively forcing the mask away from my face, breaking the seal between the mask and my face. I am now in the habit of pulling the mask slightly away from my face on my exhale. I then need re-position to form a seal and inhale oxygen. And that is the pattern. Is this normal? Or should the exhale happen (able to escape) while maintaining a good seal with constant contact with my face?

Thank you for reading this post and thank you very much for your help. Peace.

Bill

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Peter510 CH.com Alumnus Offline Don't give out... But don't give in. Posts: 966 Wexford. Ireland Gender:	Re: I'm back and a question regarding my mask Reply #1 - Jan 27^th, 2017 at 4:23am Hi there, No, that's not normal. Check how you assembled it to see if the flow direction is set up correctly. By that I mean that the mask is on the correct side of the T-Joint.....see picture below. (Note the direction of the arrows). Let us know how you get on, Peter.
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billinVA

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Re: I'm back and a question regarding my mask
Reply #2 - Jan 27^th, 2017 at 8:45am

Thank you Peter, I appreciate the pic and advice. The check valves on my mask are in the proper position, I guess the exhale is just a longer process, air passing out thru the port. I think I just need to get used to the system. Last night, five hit me, spaced two hours apart and thankfully each was aborted. Before using oxygen.... I don't even want to think about it. Thank you again.

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Skyhawk5 CH.com Alumnus Offline I love YaBB 1G - SP1! Posts: 1320 Ypsilanti, Mi. USA Gender:	Re: I'm back and a question regarding my mask Reply #3 - Jan 27^th, 2017 at 4:52pm Many of us lift the mask to exhale. I had one of the masks with a sticky seal. Try blowing thru the mask a bit hard to see if it releases. I had to clean the seal. Don
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Mike NZ CH.com Hall of Famer Offline Oxygen rocks! D3 too! Posts: 3785 Auckland, New Zealand Gender:	Re: I'm back and a question regarding my mask Reply #4 - Jan 27^th, 2017 at 6:01pm You can also practice with it when not having a CH, which will make it easier to get the technique right.
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billinVA CH.com Newbie Offline I Love CH.com! Posts: 11	Re: I'm back and a question regarding my mask Reply #5 - Jan 27^th, 2017 at 8:33pm Great advice Mike, Skyhawk and Peter. Thank you very much, seriously. I'm working with it and I think all is now good. I wish I had tried oxygen years ago. I better stock up, have gone thru 1/8 of a large tank over just a couple days. Thank you again. Bill
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zanychef CH.com Junior Offline i'm busting with a masx cant really go wrong can i Posts: 97 x1\|worthing\|England\|europe\|172\|244\| Gender:	Re: I'm back and a question regarding my mask Reply #6 - Feb 7^th, 2017 at 5:03pm I've sometimes found that the valve can become sticky due to humidity taking the valve flap off and dusting with a non perfumed talc can help zany
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jon019

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Re: I'm back and a question regarding my mask
Reply #7 - Feb 7^th, 2017 at 5:39pm

Hiya...

Another mask lifter here...not sure why but it seems a rote routine helps distract me....

Also...good idea on the talc for valve zany...they tend to get "sticky" with age...tho I'd substitute
corn starch baby powder for the talc as I am allergic... and talc in the lungs is probably not
a good idea...

Best

jon

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Batch

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Control The Beast With
O2 & D3 You Must

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Bremerton, WA
Gender: male

Re: I'm back and a question regarding my mask
Reply #8 - Feb 7^th, 2017 at 5:39pm

The check valves come out of the "T" manifold... Wash them and the "T" manifold with a mild detergent solution, rinse well with fresh water, then soak up any leftover moisture with a clean tissue before reinstalling...

The interior of the green reservoir bag should be clean and dry... If it feels slimy or has an odor... the one-way check valve above the reservoir is not working properly. Wash the interior of the reservoir bag the same way as the check valves then hang upside down by the nipple to drip dry.

Take care,

V/R, Batch

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Kirk CH.com Alumnus Offline VINIMUS, VIDIMUS, DOLAVIMUS Posts: 2393 Harts Lake, WA Gender:	Re: I'm back and a question regarding my mask Reply #9 - Feb 10^th, 2017 at 11:46am If you must clean the inside of the bag, be very gentle with it, as it is veddy easy easy to put a hole in one and it really sucks waiting a couple of days for a new one, if yer in the middle of a cycle.
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billinVA CH.com Newbie Offline I Love CH.com! Posts: 11	Re: I'm back and a question regarding my mask Reply #10 - Feb 14^th, 2017 at 9:46pm Thanks to all you responded. Great advice and some if not all will be used. Really appreciate the help everyone. Bill
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