Length

The Everest is 47. 2 inches long or 1.2 meters. This is optimal for use with a backpack or a small ambulatory oxygen device.

It is typically NOT long enough to be able to move freely in a kitchen, living room or to take a shower. We are working on a second model which is 70.8 inches or 1.8 meters in length, but this is not yet available. The Everest will probably not be your ONLY nasal cannula that you use. It will just one of several that you use on different occasions and in different situations.

Cleaning / Useful Life

The Everest is manufactured to be used over a very long period of time. We give a one year money-back guarantee on the cannula. However, YOU are responsible for cleaning the cannula. We recommend placing the cannula in hot boiling water for 20 minutes at least once every two weeks.

After boiling, let the cannula cool down and then run oxygen from your concentrator or tank through the cannula until all moisture has been removed. Not removing all moisture may cause some whistling of the cannula. If you hear any whistling (or if your dog hears the whistling), all that is necessary is to dry out the cannula some more; let more oxygen flow through the cannula until the whistling has stopped.

Connector

The Everest has a standard cone shaped connector that fits on almost all oxygen concentrators and bottles.

Nasal Prongs

The nasal prongs have a 10 mm or .04 inches separation. This is an average size. It might be too small for some very large men. MEASURE the distance between the two prongs of the cannula that you are using right now and compare this to the .04 inches of the Everest. Is this distance acceptable for you or not?

The prongs are formed straight up-and-down vertical to the tubing. No other forms of nasal prongs are available at this time.

The nasal prongs can be pulled out of the tubing, cleaning, boiled in water or sterilized, and reinserted into the tubing many times. We encourage you to clean the nasal prongs frequently.

Tubing

The Everest is a SINGLE tube oxygen cannula. It will NOT work with the Helios portable systems that need two tubes to function properly or with any other system requiring two (2) tubes.

On Demand / Triggered Systems

The Everest cannula cannot be guaranteed to work with on-demand / triggered systems.

We have cases where it does work and other cases where it does not work. At this point in time, we cannot predict with any certainty when it will work and when it will not work. We have had satisfied customers with the Spirit 300, 600 and 1000 systems, and then customers who say it does not work with such systems. Since the various manufacturers have refused to work together with us, we are unable to determine exactly why this situation occurs.

Flow Rate / Noise

The Everest cannula can deliver up to 10 liters / minute of oxygen for those patients who need it. HOWEVER, this is at a very high noise level of 56 decibels.

The Everest is LOUDER than a normal PVC cannula. At 3 liters / minute, the Everest gives off the sound of a refrigerator running in the background, or 40 decibels vs. 33 decibels for a PVC cannula. If you a very sensitive to noise, then the Everest is NOT for you.

Guarantee

We give a one year money-back guarantee on the Everest silicon nasal cannula. If you are for any reason unsatisfied with the product, please just send it back and we will refund 100% of the purchase price.

Advantages

• Silicon is a soft material, and the Everest stays soft even at very low temperatures (minus 40 degress.) This means that in winter, while walking outside in the cold, or sleeping with a window open, your Everest cannula stays soft on you ears and cheeks.
• Silicon is softer on the pressure points on your ears or cheeks.
• Silicon does not cause or exacerbate allergies like PVC cannula.
• Silicon does not stink of plastic as do most PVC cannula.
• Silicon does not give off the dangerous gases as does PVC cannula.
• Silicon has a very long useful life. We already have clients who have been using an Everest for more than 3 years are still happy with their Everest.

Disadvantages

• Silicon weighs somewhat more than PVC, and therefore is somewhat heavier than a PVC cannula.
• Silicon can build up static electricity and cause some dust to stick to the cannula. This can be removed by using a wet cloth with some mild soap on it.
• Silicon is somewhat sticky. This can disturb some women in particular since hair might stick to the cannula and cause an uneasy feeling. The stickiness is reduced every time the cannula is boiled in water.
• Silicon is a porous rough material and causes more turbulence in the air flow through the cannula than does PVC. This results is a higher level of noise than a normal PVC cannula. (We are working on ways to reduce this problem, but for the moment, the Everest is louder than a normal PVC cannula.)
• If you have any further questions about the Everest silicon nasal cannula, please just send us an email.