Trach Chains?

jasmin's mom · #1 02-01-2008, 10:32 AM

I keep reading about trach chains on the list serv. Does anyone have pictures of examples? Would it be okay to use it on a two year old? The neck ties seem to take up so much room. Thanks.

drct1245 · #2 02-01-2008, 01:10 PM

Pretty much anyone can wear a chain. There is one concern, if the child decans, you need cut away scissors that are meant to cut the metal. It's the chain that you get at the hardware store, but you have to make sure that you get the rust proof kind.

We had used it on Ayden when he was younger and especially in the summer as it is more breathable for him.

Depending upon your child, some of the girls make beaded necklaces w/ clasps on each end and use that instead for something pretty. (?)

ColinP · #3 02-01-2008, 01:22 PM

We started using it on Colin when he turned one. If we try to put the cloth ties on now he freaks. I love them, you only change them when you change the trach. When he was younger, he use to pull out his own trach out of frustration. Instead of worrying about getting that trach off from around his neck, I swing it to the side. Then I put the new trach in, then I worry about getting the old trach off. I find it easier. Colin just calls it his necklace.
Nicole

alizesmom · #4 02-01-2008, 05:31 PM

Check Alize's picture in my signature. He's wearing a chain. I really like it for him. Karen

Hanna · #5 02-02-2008, 07:55 AM

Hi I have never seen that before my question is how do you attach it or fasten it ???
This is something my daughter would love she is so self conscious now at school about her trach.

babyhugger · #6 02-02-2008, 09:32 AM

Here's a pic of Tristan's necklace. I loved the lobster claw clasps. I made them from supplies bought at Hobby Lobby.

drct1245 · #7 02-02-2008, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hanna

Hi I have never seen that before my question is how do you attach it or fasten it ???
This is something my daughter would love she is so self conscious now at school about her trach.

If you go w/ regular chains from the hardware store, they are like the chains for military dog tags or medical necklaces, so there is link/fastener which you can either do a single loop around the neck going through each side of the trach similar to a choker. OR loop it only behind the neck by putting it through one side of the trach with on end a little longer than the other and then loop that longer end through the other side of the trach. We do the latter.

hopefully those descriptions made sense.

livysmommy · #8 02-02-2008, 07:48 PM

Dawna & everyone else with chain experience,

Tristin's "necklace" is so cute...

what did you string the bead on? Did you ever have a chain break leading to decan? And one last question for all of you out there with chain experience...do your kids ever have problems with red necks or does the chain allow for more breathability than the Dale ties?

Olivia is 6 (yikes...almost seven

in a few months) and she would totally love something "fancy" to wear to make her trach cooler than the Dale Pedistars ties can.

Thanks for any advice!

alizesmom · #9 02-02-2008, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by livysmommy

And one last question for all of you out there with chain experience...do your kids ever have problems with red necks or does the chain allow for more breathability than the Dale ties?
Thanks for any advice!

Alize wears his chain constantly, no redness. His neck gets marks on it like you would get with any necklace but they go away when the necklace is adjusted. I never have to change it. He can be bathed and it dries quickly. He has had no skin tears, no redness, no open areas since we started with the chain. Karen

Nate's Mom · #10 02-02-2008, 10:57 PM

We absolutely love the chains!! We ordered ours from our DME and like the lobster clasp ones. I don't think they work well if you have to use a vent though. The vent tubing is too heavy. When Nate has been in the hospital and needed to be vented, we had to put ties back on. Just a little FYI!!