How to Improve Your Surgical Mask Fit Quickly

[@mariannekerby8282]

Thank you SO much! What a brilliant solution - I've been searching fruitlessly for small size level 3 surgical masks and now I can use my supplies of the huge ones I have!

[@IrmaVela]

Your demonstration is very simple and clear ,best I seen,thank you .

[@NurseMinder]

Thank you

[@worldview730]

Thanks a million, you really fixed my mask fit issues, now I can feel normal again! 👍👍

[@wstalina]

I really really struggled for a long time . I wish I’ve seen this video earlier, it would have saved me a lot of trouble! Thank you so so much!

[@NurseMinder]

Sometimes the sides will not stay closed, so you may need to add a bit of tape

[@Andy5682fly]

I tried doing this after watching and definitely got a much better fit on the sides, but although it made a better fit sideways, it also made the mask gap on the sides of my nose. The knot will pull down on the mask more due to an increased angle , it will also shorten the run of fabric leading up to the nose from the outer edges of the face. I found that by making a smaller fold and stapling it together, then leaving out the knot, I managed to achieve a better fit. This is of course dependent on circumstance as I do have a wider face compared to others, and perhaps I may have purchased a smaller fitting mask. In any case I can see the logic and this working and I appreciate the kindness in sharing. It certainly won't hurt to have this knowledge on the back of my head when the time comes I purchase a bigger mask someday!

[@NurseMinder]

Yes there are soooo many variations to play with - face shape and size, ears, nose, glasses. I am glad you found a work around. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience

[@Whreqj]

This is awesome, especially considering that the material is a pretty good filter and the main problem with these things is the improper fit. Thanks for sharing!

[@NurseMinder]

Thanks for adding your thoughts

[@marlenehyde2306]

I wanted this information when we first had to wear the masks.

[@barbiekat6352]

Thank you ! 😷 Your demonstration was clear and so easy to follow 👍 Best tip I’ve found to make mask fit better, keep glasses from fogging and the shape gave me extra room to breath making it much more comfortable…

[@austriabevil6035]

Thx for the tip

[@SoberStones]

Thank you so much. I don't know why I did not search for this earlier!

[@Marie-ct4td]

Wow this is so simple and yet so brilliant!

[@NurseMinder]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@normwahl5395]

Thank you for your reply Tammy. and all your videos. Wishing you and your family a merry Christmas..

[@peachiiz7805]

I've watched over 6 vids and this worked, thanks. my friend did it for me yesterday and I was wondering how did she do this

[@normwahl5395]

Tammy wher did you purchase the B letter Be Grateful that you have on the dresser behidn you?

[@NurseMinder]

Hi Norm. It was from Pier 21 maybe - I have had it for a couple of years and love it!

[@arlenepaceacapulco3735]

Wow that is awesome thanks for sharing ❤️

[@stephmccaskey1450]

It really works. Very breathable and no eyeglass fogging. Thanks!

[@jackhoeft9761]

I did the Knott and I put the Knott through the mask and there is still a big gap on the sides. Do you know why this is happening?

[@NurseMinder]

Sometimes I get the gap too. I find the masks we have currently are too big for my face. Maybe a piece of tape is needed to keep it down

[@niceday8888]

Jack Hoeft This hack requires you tuck in both sides. I tried it and it works well for a short period of time, but with breathing and talking the mask become untucked quickly. I prefer using a “3D mask frame” with ear saver. Tammy/ NurseMinder has a video about ear savers.

[@badbillybrookes]

I staple the corner folds. Tend to unfold.

[@NurseMinder]

Yes. I have found that they do unfold when I talk a lot 😯

[@wannellalawson4001]

Thank your. Thank God for nurses. I just subscribed to your tight.

[@CutieRingoJoy]

I try doing the folding half and tie. I end up creating a bigger gap on the sides because when i tuck in the sides and need to spread the mask it could not pls the knot it just came off and create a bigger hole , i think i just get fashion tape

[@NurseMinder]

Yes. I have found that it does not work all the time either.

[@maychua3465]

Thank you so much for sharing... 🙏everyone stay safe, blessed and healthy.

[@izzy1563]

It’s been working for me for 6 mos in NYC. I can breath easy and don’t fidget with the mask - at all - while wearing. If you wear these the regular way there are too many gaps and you constantly pull out in the top or bottom for air. They also fit so tight around the nose that it makes it hard to breath and maybe makes the claustrophobic feel anxious.

[@NurseMinder]

Thanks for your service!❤️👏

[@kumarthangaraj7446]

Hi thanks for this video. I find that sealing the tucked in portion (upper part) with a tape, it provides a better protection i.e. air tight.

[@RLaraMoore]

exactly! first aide "paper tape" works well for taping down the folded in pockets.

[@NurseMinder]

excellent

[@jerriwalker3189]

Awesome!! Thank you I needed this. I have a small face and work on the school bus. I was wearing 2 mask. Lol Have a blessed day.

[@AskForRedDotCom]

I LOVE this...and Im jealous of your pink masks!

[@NurseMinder]

Haha. It is a nice change from blue

[@muffintuffler]

Thank you soooo very much ! Works fantastic ! I can see clearly now the “fog” is gone !! Sounds like a song I know !!! Lolol 🤓 👓🤓👍🥰

[@NurseMinder]

I love that song :)

[@gentleoldmoviefan5680]

Good video, and a great tip. One additional suggestion I'll make: Do this "hack" (which you demonstrate) in *Addition* to using a "face mask extender" (i.e., lanyard), to adjust the overall amount of pressure against the face. That would help take lots of pressure off the wearer's ears, when using 'ear-loop' style of attach-to-head straps, rather than 'headband' style of attach-to-head straps. It lets the wearer choose the exact level of tightness / snugness of the mask, and most of the pressure will be against the back of the neck. Not relying on the ears to support the pressure, in other words. ~~ In this video, of course, you are demonstrating the "hack" on an 'ear-loop' style of fastener (elastic bands), and the knots you put on either side effectively shortens both sides of ear loops. That can make the mask fit tighter, which could cause more pulling on the ears (on a person with a larger sized head) over time, causing painful ears. Especially if you have to wear the mask for a quite a while.

[@NurseMinder]

Great addition. With my small face the shortened length helps me :)

[@easydiybyvi1992]

Thank you so much for you share it very easy. Please take care

[@vickil6325]

I tried this. the corners sort of popped out and the mask barely fits me. Just a touch on my chin. The video here mask looked to me it's a larger size mask. Is that true? I have the blue ones, 3 layers. And a dark green ones, 4 layers, which I haven't try the trick yet. I ended up with one staple on each side. Now it works but still I rather have a little bigger size masks. I say that my rounded face is medium normal size. Not small, not large. If I really have to wear my staple mask, I will. The metal staple part doesn't scratch my face. I hardly notice it there.

[@WASIF4444]

Thanks. Beautiful video.

[@brydonlasalle6239]

This looks great. Handy as I head back to a job that will involve dealing with lots of people in a CSR capacity

[@lilianegrimm406]

Nice idea but this does not work for me because the mask gets to small and the elastic cannot fit behind the ears anymore

[@NurseMinder]

Sometimes it does not work for me - half the time it works well (as long as I dont talk too much) and the other half the sides pop open

[@manas_thinkapart]

this is worth two thumbs up.

[@NurseMinder]

I agree. Comfy and effective

[@TheLakingc]

Thank you! I tried that and still had gaps. I think i wasn't getting the knot close enough to the mask. I broke 3 but glued them back with crafting glue. It worked. After watching how you do it, i see what i did wrong. Thank you.

[@NurseMinder]

Sometimes they will unfold

[@RLaraMoore]

I tack down the folded in pockets with a bit of medical paper tape. they stay tucked in longer.

[@nihanaksoy]

THANK YOU !

[@NurseMinder]

You're welcome!

[@csalazar8426]

thanks for sharing. I saw this after posting a question on the 7 hacks video. I will try this. thanks again. keep safe.

[@Manorainjan]

The short version of this is, to turn the ear-loops once, so that they for an eight 8.

[@Person-mh6xq]

Not really. The knot seems to keep it tighter to the face.

[@liamros3562]

Not at all, the eight 8 ear-loops might make the loops shorter...but it does not change the shape of the mask : it leaves with the huge holes on the side. The hack presented in the video actually gets rid of these side-holes, and change the shape of the mask into a "tight cup" closer to a N95 type fit. It's an excellent hack for those who don't thave N95s with them and need a better protection...it works better for smaller faces though.

[@raquelitaregondola8129]

Thank you sharing stay safe too.

[@NurseMinder]

😊

[@jackhoeft9761]

How do you make the Knott?

[@NurseMinder]

Hold mask, grab loops and make a circle, pass the bottom edge either up through or down under the circle, guide knot to the base of the loops

[@hirokomatsumoto]

Thank you form Tokyo, Japan! Please take care🥰

[@NurseMinder]

Oh wow! Thank you

[@annabutler140]

Before discarding a used mask, I suggest that you clip the ear loops so, if the mask ends up in our waterways, fish won't get caught in the ear loops.

[@NurseMinder]

Great tip!!

[@Taipans]

How are the fish supposed to protect against Covid then?

[@shazrajaved4506]

Great idea!!!

[@rosalourenco805]

It helps a lot! It becomes like sort of the shape of the FFP2 respirator masks, it does not stick to the nose when we breath in and does not fog up the glasses. I also staple the folds from the inside out ( the bends stay on the outside of the mask so that they do not scratch my face).

[@NurseMinder]

awesome

[@iwantmy_sk844]

CLEAR, HELPFUL demo (w/a smile: ), a colourful, FUN pic for a background, and -- will somebody please tell her? -- this viewer thinks she's really CUTE! (...."ba, dum, bum"!🥁)😉

[@NurseMinder]

Ah! This just made my day (although I am not sure if it is sarcasm with the drum roll - I am choosing to take it as a beautiful comment! Thanks

[@iwantmy_sk844]

@@NurseMinder ('funny", I AM pretty sarcastic w/my humor, BUT...)..my comment would be appropriately filed in the "beautiful comment"-section: ) I also think you provide a great service to your public through your videos! Thank you! 😉

[@TheLakingc]

We are back into fire season and the constant smoke! I was so sick from it yesterday, I could barely function. So now even masking inside. It helps. I had 2 weeks where we were wearing less, but now back always wearing around others. I personally only know of one couple who vaccinated in our locale. Where we are moving, nearly everyone I know has vaccinated. Also, a week after not masking in the store, we had some kind of bug! First time in a year that we were sick..not bad, though. When we went to church, we were always coming down with the community crud! I wonder if we will ever unmask anymore. The masks cause their own irritation.

[@NurseMinder]

Sorry to hear about this - yes the smoke is bad here as well

[@agentp821]

@L K are you vaccinated?

[@USArmy91222]

problem i found when i do this is when i pull it down over my chin, it opens the corners up again 🤔

[@NurseMinder]

Yes. Sometimes it does not work - try to tape the ends

[@bebetigre1252]

Doesnt work if ties are on inside

[@roloavo7576]

Thank you🙏

[@NurseMinder]

You’re welcome ☺️

[@adriyanmusic]

This is what I wanted to know , thank you madam 🥰🥰🥰

[@outoftheklosset]

Thank you so much!

[@cwg2432]

What’s a brand of real 3 ply surgical mask that you use or your workplace uses ??

[@NurseMinder]

We have a few brands. The only one that I can recall is Vanch ... and that is because they make my eyes water and lips tingle 🙁

[@cwg2432]

NurseMinder thanks !!! Really hard to know these days which are genuine and which ones are not. And you can’t really find a list of surgical mask brands that hospitals used before the pandemic

[@NurseMinder]

Yes I believe there are issues like that out there. I did a quick search on Amazon and see that these ones have a claim of being Health Canada Licensed which I have to assume means there is a standard in quality of masks amzn.to/3fU3eQw

[@cwg2432]

NurseMinder OMG thank you very much!!!

[@barbiekat6352]

@@NurseMinder I have found that it’s very hard to trust the descriptions on Amazon. I read one comment on this mask “Health Canada does not license any products , and such claim is fictitious.”. Not faulting you, just never can know what you are getting based on claims. Always order PRIME and then product is returnable (free) even if it states nonreturnable call customer service and they will refund you👍

[@hermaggiesty]

Thank you. No other video showed how to do the corners properly!!!

[@NurseMinder]

Happy to help ;)

[@dominickwilliams3504]

Your a blessing...again. Hugs,Dominick. I speeading your advice best i can.

[@NurseMinder]

Awesome

[@COD_GHOST10119]

What if the elastic ear loops already bother your ears even before adding a kno to them I would think it would add more stress on the ears using the exact type of mask you shown do they make different sizes I don't know about like L, XL?

[@NurseMinder]

Yes the loops around the ears can be avoided by using the masks with tie straps

[@agathahofmann6977]

I have improved mine by poking holes in it. Great for air flow while wearing one all day in the ICU.

[@NurseMinder]

😳

[@pp6016]

Thank you 👍

[@NurseMinder]

Thank you

[@Mercurychick]

Thank you!!!!!!!

[@PiMiSOGOD]

Thank you.

[@NurseMinder]

Thanks for writing :)

[@booswalia]

I just tuck the two sides and staple them.

[@Tisha701]

Thank you

[@help_head_pain]

This is great and quick! I talk about jaw pain created by wearing a mask if you ever want to know more.

[@hopeintegratede.v.11]

great, thanks!!!

[@Vlad65WFPReviews]

Thanks! Sadly, in the surge of Omicron you will have more "civilian" visitors here. Thanks again.

[@NurseMinder]

Yes. I need to do another one soon - lots of the same questions pop up in the comments

[@user-bs9uc7nz4r]

Thank you 🇨🇦🍁👍🏻

[@kristigunn519]

This is great! Thanks for this tip!

[@NurseMinder]

Thanks for writing :)

[@phase4computer]

Thanks for sharing this. Now I know how to feel better in my mask. Now Hawaii is think of having us wear 2 masks. Ugh can’t breath. One cloth that goes over surgical mask. Help!

[@NurseMinder]

Oh wow! Stay safe

[@honkymonkey9568]

Awesome. thank you thank you

[@NurseMinder]

You are welcome. Thanks for taking time to write

[@gracepires8387]

Very good idea! Thanks for the great demo👍

[@brydonlasalle6239]

But... I'm going to look more into this unless you have the answer for something I've noticed. Masks I have, the elastic seems to join mask in a slightly different spot. I'm going to watch your vid again more closely. My masks have elastic attached about 5mm in and 5mm down from corners of the mask and on the inner surface. It also connects on the inner surface. Also, I'm wondering if my masks are smaller than the one you demo with. (I'll be doing some googling because your found-hack def looks brilliant and really hope to apply it.) I say this as I don't seem to get the same fit and seal. It may also have something to do with still sporting my covid coif - and looking like The Big Lebowski's dude still. I.e. I have an overgrown, unkempt Van Dyke beard

[@NurseMinder]

Lol. The facial hair may be a part of it. I have long thought that they should make masks for beards.

[@abhishekkarmakar2154]

Good morning Madam. I am from India. Thank you so much for making this wonderful video and guiding us. I am a patient of Asthma and COPD. I wear surgical mask daily for 5 to 6 hours at a stretch since I need to go out of home. Once I return home, I put it in dustbin. Can I use my surgical mask the way you shown in video or it will create suffocation for me? Please guide Madam.

[@NurseMinder]

It will not suffocate you

[@abhishekkarmakar2154]

@@NurseMinder Thank you Madam for making wonderful videos and guiding us all the time. I am from India and I earnestly request you to please make a detailed video on masks. There are plenty of masks available both in online and offline markets. I get highly confused as to which masks we should use for complete protection against corona virus. Also please guide us on the ways of identifying a fake N95 and also fake surgical masks during our online purchases. Regarding N95 masks, there are several types available online and offline. Please suggest the best brand that every single individual must purchase in India. Thanks again Madam. God Bless You.

[@lindafighera4268]

Good job! thank you...:)

[@drsarafudl5184]

Brilliant

[@NurseMinder]

😌

[@miriamrosenberg9307]

TYSM!!!! Fantastic visual!!!!

[@sheelfjohnson]

#NursesRock 💙Thank you!💙

[@jenniewilliams1668]

GREAT!!!!!!!

[@valerietham9693]

Thanks!

[@NurseMinder]

You are welcome!

[@caribbeangirl4282]

Omg thak God i found your channel...stay safe and God Bless

[@hintofsweetness48]

Perfect & easy fix. Thank you for sharing.

[@NurseMinder]

You're welcome!

[@victorm6176]

Ok nice👍

[@emilietan829]

Merci

[@kathryn2334]

Thank you. Great help!!!

[@anampc6678]

Excellent thank you for sharing.

[@julietarmstrong788]

Genius!

[@rayj.4527]

This is amazing.

[@NurseMinder]

😊

[@AsahiYuban]

This works perfect. Thanks!

[@NurseMinder]

🙌

[@darrenosborne8252]

Thank you for the great tips.

[@NurseMinder]

You are so welcome!

[@bernettamorton2646]

Two words... thank you! 🤓🙏🏼😷

[@jochien1]

Many many thanks!! And bless you.

[@imp1074]

wonderful! I just washed one of those masks and dried it in dryer. It came through beautifully but is it still effective? Anyone know? I see these masks lying on the ground, in the garbage and everywhere in between. We are cluttering up the world with masks now. Is there a better way? So-my question remains. Anyone know? Thanks for the tips. My glasses don't fog up now!

[@NurseMinder]

I have no idea what washing will do to it ...

[@shadowandsoul4331]

These disposable surgical masks are not meant to be washed. Please don't do that. It will loose its effectiveness. They are only supposed to be used one time and be thrown away.

[@liamros3562]

Don't wash them...cook them in the oven (regular oven, not microwave) at 80°C for 30 min (be careful, use a thermometer it needs to be precise) This kills the virus and allows you to reuse it. You can repeat the procedure 10 times. It's a safe decontamination (check CDC research about it) and it's more ecological than single use. Single use is moronic and will pollute our planet / oceans in no time. You can use a rice cooker and a towel around the mask instead of a regular oven if you prefer. A last option is to let it hang for 10 days (virus will be dead) and you can use it again. Buy 20 of them, write a number on each , and change mask every so that each mask has its 10 days wait before re-use.

[@shadowandsoul4331]

@@liamros3562 Interesting I never heard of this. I am mostly just using 4 layer cloth masks (with inside filters). I only recently bought surgical masks to use occasionally underneath my cloth mask as added protection. I hate the idea of this throw away culture, so I really hesitated before buying.

[@youssefkamel5771]

حقا انها طريقة جيدة وصحيحةلحماية مايسخدمها من فايرس كفيد19.

[@elidacristinadilena6975]

Gracias por su video, es muy útil la información.

[@NurseMinder]

Gracias a tu!

[@templanzatemplanza7476]

GRACIAS !!... SALUDOS DESDE SANTIAGO DE CHILE 🇨🇱 !!..👋👍🌞🌿🌷🌺🌛✨🐈

[@NurseMinder]

Hello Chile!!

[@msbrownbeast]

This method doesn't work that well. The glasses still fog up (especially in colder temperatures). I use paper medical tape (3M Micropore) across the entire top of the mask (1/2 on the mask and 1/2 on the skin). No fogging up at all now.

[@corent3039]

I do this aswell

[@TED1980]

Well …..hello ……if your glasses are fogging up! ……….clearly the Rona can go in the reverse direction when you inhale and into your lungs.!!!! Use basic logic and common sense …… Masks are a f34ken worthless joke. A politicians directive to the dumbass masses.

[@PapaEvri]

Thank you so much 👍✌️💯👏❤️

[@eebclee]

That looks like it just creates a couple of hidden holes in the mask, which of course will make it easier to breath, but also defeats the purpose of the mask. Try holding a mirror up to those folded corners, it will likely fog up.

[@NurseMinder]

No the holes are not hidden, they are reduced in size due to the edges coming together. I like this one but will say it does not always stay sealed as talking moves the mask on the face and sometimes the mask will pop out

[@Xia-hu]

if you don't tighten it, it will still have holes (the surgical mask has a notoriously bad fit on the face), you are actually reducing the escape holes this way, as it fits better around the face.

[@hillroberts1311]

I followed your advice and my ears got painful!!! I had to un-knot all my surgical masks because of it.

[@NurseMinder]

Yes. It can create more tension on the ears as the straps are shorter and have a different angle

[@BigD4Real.]

If this isn’t a standard practice then what’s the point?

[@NurseMinder]

I am not sure what you mean. Tying a knot is not standard practice and is a strategy to increase the seal ... also happens to decrease glass fog :)

[@GY0708]

That’s why it is called “standard”

[@gayandfake1]

love the feel on my face when i did this but my glasses still fogs up 😭😭😭

[@NurseMinder]

Oh no!! This one works for me :)

[@AskForRedDotCom]

Try a piece of Kinesiology Tape. I use this...be safe! spidertech.com/us/face-protection-strips

[@rabb9054]

This is a copy of another video: Surgical Mask Fit by Dr. Rabeeh Bahrampourian

[@NurseMinder]

It is definitely inspired by many videos as I was searching for my own tools to prevent glass fog and when I found something that worked and was replicated in other videos, I tried it myself :). Sharing my findings here

[@Theanimalwhisperer1930]

Sorry this doesn’t work

[@NurseMinder]

Yes I find it is an intermittent fix - so people have added to this and shared they tape the sides so they stay closed

[@Theanimalwhisperer1930]

@@NurseMinder Yes I have used Hollywood tape or liquid on the bridge works well , you can also get pre adhesive masks as well . Thanks for your reply

[@Barec76]

Another great way is to abolish the mandatory masking!!

[@NurseMinder]

I am not a fan of it either - for a variety of reasons