Most effective chin strap?

I'm interested in learning from the people who are currently using a chin strap, and to learn from their experience through trial and error, which chin strap, in their opinion, has worked the best for them. I'm a mouth breather and use a full face mask. I initially tried a chin strap during the time my DME provider suggested that I use a nasal mask. I learned that during the period I was sleeping with the nasal mask, I would fight hard against the chin strap so that I could breath through my mouth. Mouth breathing is a habit I learned due to a deviated septum. Now that I've had surgery for the deviated septum, I'm working on breaking the habit of being a mouth breather during the daytime, and hopefully that will carry over into the night. I'm going to give the chin strap another try. Any recommendations on a good chin strap are appreciated. Thanks. -Chuck-

I tried something called a Philips Respironics "Premium Chin Strap" (see link), but it feels too bulky, so I tried a "stretchy" cloth head band that my wife had lying around. It's worked very well for me. I've I'm having a difficult night of mouth breathing (which was the case when my pressure was way too high), I can double them up. They probably don't stay in place as well as something like a Ruby Chinstrap (which a lot of people on this forum seem to swear by), but they worked in a pinch. At this point, I just need a gentle reminder to keep my mouth closed, so I haven't switched to the Ruby.

http://www.directhomemedical.com/101291 ... 96U8vldWxU

I fall into the "just need a gentle reminder" group. I use the ResMed chinstrap. I tighten it just enough that it is uncomfortable to chew, but not so tight that I can't open my mouth or so that it is uncomfortable with my mouth closed. This isn't perfect, my 95th percentile leak is about 9 (ResMed with mask adjustment - so anything less than 24 is good) and the leaks I do have are probably due primarily to mouth breathing. I don't wake up in the middle of the night or in the morning with a parched mouth and my morning breath isn't as bad as it used to be.

This is a single strap and I have read that some people have problems keeping it on all night.

Here's the one that works for me, http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_ ... chin+strap
It's the ruby red adjustable.

I've used the papCap for several years. I like it not pulling my jaw back, but up.

Even with a chin strap, I still need tape to prevent mouth leaks and dry mouth. Right now I have to use a little Lansinoh lanolin for a chapped upper lip. Last night I had leaky lips.

This old dog hasn't learned to prevent mouth leaks. I breathe through my nose with my tongue firmly pressed against the back of my upper teeth, all day long. The problem occurs while I sleep. Therefore, I have to tape. Good luck, Earl

Just use a head band I bought in the sports section at Wall Mart for 2 or 3 dollars. it seems to work. Might take a couple days to be comfortable.

I would pre-stretch by stretching it out to the maximum without damage to loosen it up if it seems to be too tight.

I am sure our sleep suppliers can supply a strap for a much higher price.

I just got a new nasal mask, and my AHI is much better with that and a chin strap than it is without the chin strap. (I am using the Respironics Original Deluxe chin strap.) However, I am getting overheated. Any suggestions? I am not comfortable with the idea if taping. Thanks!

Instead of a chin strap, you might try a soft cervical collar.
With a FFM and mouth breathing, the problem is not keeping the mouth closed, it is keeping the jaw from dropping.
If the jaw doesn't drop, then the FFM is less likely to leak from jaw movement.
A chin strap also has the tendency to pull the lower jaw backwards and exacerbate the tendency to have obstructive events.

None of this applies if you are using a nasal mask of any type. There the problem is keeping the mouth closed, an entirely different problem.

I use an Oracle mask which is effectively the bottom half of a FFM. After fighting leaks for a long time, I tried a cervical collar and my leak rate on most nights never exceeds the mask leak rate published by the manufacturer - effectively my unintentional leak rate is zero most nights.

I only suggest this mask if you are a confirmed mouth breather and can't breathe through your nose at night. Nasal breathing is always better than mouth breathing but some of us are stuck.

I have had several different chin straps. Overall, I have been most satisfied with the old version PAPCap.
I use a conventional nasal mask, so I do not have experience with a full-face mask.

TheDuke