BD12438 Natural Breathing Lung Recovery Exerciser Trainer
Instructions
A G E N E R A L P R O T O C O L
Last Updated: 08/04/2020
The Breather is an Inspiratory and Expiratory Respiratory Muscle Training (RMT) device. It provides a means to complete resistance strengthening for the muscles of respiration. Similar to the way lifting weights provides resistance strengthening for the muscles of your arms and legs. Breathing against resistance during RMT activates and strengthens muscles for breathing, speech, swallowing, and posture. This will decrease breathlessness and promote the ability to move more freely, return to the activities you care about, improve swallow safety, speech volume, and ability to clear mucus from your airway.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
- Read the instructions found in the manufacturer’s package insert.
- If access to the internet is available, it’s recommended you watch the free training videos found at PNMedical.com/Start including:
ο How to Use The Breather
ο Diaphragmatic Breathing
ο How to Clean The Breather - If you use oxygen, just keep it on during RMT. If your doctor has ordered you to use oxygen as needed, have oxygen available to use if your oxygen level falls below the level your doctor prescribed.
- Begin with the easiest settings by rotating both inhale and exhale dials so the #1 is aligned with the arrow at the top of The Breather. Note inhale and exhale dials can be changed independently.
HOW TO USE THE BREATHER
- Sit upright and hold the mouthpiece between your lips, don’t clench it with your teeth.
- Breath in and out through the mouthpiece (not the nose) using diaphragmatic breathing.
- Aim to complete RMT with effort (orange section of #5-7). in the zone
- Listen for a strong ‘ wind ’ sound for inhaling and exhaling to indicate you are doing RMT with effort in the zone.
- Listen to your body. Ask yourself:
ο Am I feeling out of breath or lightheaded?
ο Take breaks as you need them.
ο NOTE: Lightheadedness that quickly goes away may occur when you first begin training. This is a normal response to the forced inhale/exhale maneuver. Take a short break as this should resolve quickly and you can get back to complete your RMT set. - Please use The Breather to complete RMT 6 days per week, twice a day. One session any time in the AM hours and one session anytime in the PM hours. Aim for 2 sets of 10 full breaths at each session. Leave a good 2 minute or more break in between sets.
- Once 10 breaths per set become easy, try increasing the resistance by increasing either/both inhale and exhale dials. If you stop using your Breather for a period, you may find the need to reduce the resistances to get back to RMT.
- You should start noticing positive benefits after a week or so of use. We recommend you continue RMT for the rest of your life.
CLEANING THE BREATHER
Up to once daily
- Separate the blue mouthpiece from the white portion of The Breather
- Wash in warm water with mild dish-washing soap
- Rinse both pieces well
- Shake out the excess water & use a clean towel to dry surfaces
- Air dry thoroughly (overnight is a great time)
- Before putting the mouthpiece on, sharply inhale & exhale through the body to release any possible seals
- Store in a clean, dry place that can ventilate
- Do NOT put The Breather in the dishwasher. The high heat may affect the way it works or ruin it completely.
DISINFECTING THE BREATHER
Up to once weekly
- Clean as outlined The Breather above in steps 1-3
- Soak in either 70% alcohol OR hydrogen peroxide for 5 minutes
- Rinse with sterile or distilled water
- Shake out excess water & allow to dry thoroughly
- Store in a clean, dry place that can ventilate
*NOTE: The Breather is a device to be used by one person. It should not be shared with others.
All cleaning recommendations assume The Breather is being used by a single individual.
See Cleaning Video at PNMedical.com/Start
FOR FURTHER SUPPORT
Visit: www.pnmedical.com/faq/
Contact us by phone or email: 877-414-4449 or [email protected]
