Hello,
I am a final year design student at Brunel University and I am working on a project to redesign the existing nebuliser masks used by the ambulance service. I was just wondering if anyone has any experiences of being treated via these masks? Any details you can share about the experience would be a massive help to my project, if you do not want to share here feel free to message me.
Thanks,
Meg.
Yes, I have been given one when I had a big attack last year. To be honest, I paid no attention to the mask. In that situation I think the only thing you are aware of is lack of air. I can tell you that within a very short time I felt like I was getting some air into my lungs.
If you are doing research into a new design I assume not everyone has had the same experience as me.
Hey
Yes I’ve used them... a lot! 😅 there are different types tho and different issues with each type... what would you like to know about? 😉
I'm just looking at the standard issue NHS one, I have a picture but not sure how to post it on here. What issues have you experienced? Any issues are helpful at this stage in the project.
You can add it as a picture in the original post... but is it the one with the greenish rubbery ‘seal’ to the face? (That’s the one more common in a&e/hospitals)
My biggest issue is with the seal. I will get a rash from them (esp if using it frequently or continuously). I’m unsure if the materials used, so can’t tell if this is my latex allergy playing up or just a general issue, but after a while it’s very sore to wear them.
I also find they only last about 10 nebulisers before they start to leak, Especially if the medic puts the nebule into the chamber properly via unscrewing (10 is a guesstimate... the ambo mask rarely makes it past A&E. Usually they will last 1 to 2 days of therapy before this happens). The condensated nebule will also collect at the seal and be rubbed into the face giving spots. Other masks have a similar leak issue but they don’t tend to have the same condensation issue. I’m not sure if this is because the air vents are larger, or because the mask is larger, or if it’s just the lack of seal.
I find on these masks the Elastic strap oftens pings off And so I have to fix it whilst nebulising.
In general There is a one size fits all approach with these masks. You have Paeds Or adult. I have a friend who is too big for the Paeds But absolutely dwarfed by the adult so an intermediate size would be great.
Another issue or design flaw in general is that you can’t really wear glasses with them. Once you’re out of the acute phase (and so more likely to take note 😉) It becomes a choice you have to make, take them off and become blind or leave them on and face discomfort As your glasses are pushed harder in towards your face or nose
Off the top of my head that’s all I can think of at the moment but if I think of any more I’ll add them 😉 (other masks have different issues 😅)
Hope that helps
Thank you so much that is a massive help, a few others i've spoken to have mentioned about having to take glasses off as well something Il have a look into. Thanks again!
Welcome... tho this may be a better picture 😉😅
images.app.goo.gl/JsZBpDLK6...
Hahahah yes, was just one I used for uni to illustrate it doesn't work when laying down. Soy sauce was the only coloured liquid we had at the time, wasn't the nicest to smell 😅
Oh yes!!! The ‘I can’t move my head cause it’ll stop working’ issue... I forgot that one. It most frustrating when you’re doing it at 1am and JUST WANT TO SLEEP! 😅😂 the chamber being fixed makes this worse in this one than other types where you can angle them side wards 😅
Also the ‘final dribble’ which spits and splutters for AGES until it’s finished. Or you get fed up stop it and you then see there’s actually quite a bit left so you have to tap it into steaming 😒😅
And I bet it did 😅... guessing no one in your group is a baker cause food colouring probs would have been a lot nicer 😉😂
A design question I've always had: is it necessary to have our noses in there? Does it do any good?
It’s because some people breathe with both mouth and nose during attacks, others actively try to breathe with their noses (it what I was taught to try and do at one of my spec hosps... usually once the worst of the flare is over with I do combi or nose). Because the medics can’t easily tell who is going to do what they cover both...
Hope that explains it 😅
Ok so that's interesting that medicine going in your nose would reach your lungs. Makes sense. Thanks!! 
Hi All
I prefer a mouth piece and don’t really use a mask.. even in an attack I find them less of a fuss with straps around your head that slip off etc..!
I don’t have the energy to keep a mask on and prefer to try and get deeper breaths through my mouth.
This is prob not ideal for everyone but it suits me better and is ok for the meds that are generally used by asthmatics.
😊😊
I also prefer the mouth piece... tho it’s more because of the issues I have with the masks (tho with worse attacks I have to mask as it’s too difficult to hold mouthpiece in mouth)😅😂
I do wish they’d offer mask v mouthpiece option more often as I’m one that doesn’t like to ask or forget u til it’s too late 😅
Hi
Yep you are right! You do generally have to ask for one in hospital as they don’t offer.. I tend to take my own and just swap them!
I just can’t bare the claustrophobic feeling from a plastic mask when I am already struggling to breathe..
😬😬
Though should mention you have to be a bit careful nebbing ipratropium or steroids that they don’t get in your eyes.. but this is a problem with masks and mouthpieces I think..??
😊😊
I would agree with others that it is difficult to wear your glasses when the mask is on.
I have Rhinosinusitis so the mask let's me breathe through my nose and helps that as well.
When I need a nebuliser, I like that the mask goes on and I can just concentrate on breathing.
The masks don't fit all that well. They are uncomfortable if you have them on your face for a long time.
The holes where the elastic band bit often break when you pull it to make it tighter so it stays in place,a bit more robust
I prefer this type of mask compared to the other types of plastic masks however it would be nice if they were better suited for people with glasses.
2x Emergency Steroids in one month 
asthma 
asthma and the seaside
DofE expedition with asthma 
