How to Wear Your Cannula
How did you decide how to wear your cannula? Is that the best way? How do you know?
When I left the clinic as a brand-new oxygen user, they gave me a big tank to take home. In putting it in the back seat, as they recommended, I had to remove the cannula. Since the tank was behind me, I think I just put the cannula on with the hose behind me, too. I have worn it that way since then. Here's what it looks like on a mannequin:
This means that the tubing hangs down your back, and as you walk (or wheel) it drags behind.
One advantage is that since it is not in front of you, you don't trip on it.
Another advantage is that it does not tug down on your ears making them sore.
If you are interested in wearing a necklace or scarf, the tube does not interfere or distract.
A disadvantage is that if someone steps on the tube, your head jerks back.
I have noticed that most people wear the cannula like this, with the tube wrapped around the ears and the slider in front of you.
An advantage is that this is easy to put on. The hose stays in front of you.
This is easy for another person to put on you if you are in bed. If you sleep on your back or sitting up, the hose does not get crimped or stuck under you.
A disadvantage is that the hose is in front of you as you move about, creating a tripping hazard. If you're cooking, it's in front of you.
Many people also complain about sore ears from the weight of the hose, and if your ears sit close to your head, it pushes the ear out.
How do you decide?
For me, I think I started wearing it behind my neck by accident, but I have stayed with it because the advantages (no tripping, behind me when cooking, no tug on ears, nothing around my neck) outweigh any disadvantages.
How about you? You can put an answer in the comments.
