[SaraO'Hara]

I'm near the end of my first semester of LVN school, and had to wear a surgical mask today because of a slight sore throat. I've worn one before, but never for a prolonged period of time. After about fifteen minutes with it covering my nose and mouth, I just couldn't breathe - having hyperpnea and apparently going pale. I ended up uncovering my nose just to get air in.

How on earth do you get used to masks? Anybody have this problem and get through OR observation (coming up next semester) ?

[Crux1024]

Honestly, I had the same problem when I first started in the OR. I have now been there 5 years and havent passed out once!!

It depends sometimes on the mask. Is it lined with plastic inside? those tend to stick to your face more. Do they have masks available that look like a duck bill? those give you more room around your face and make it easier to breathe. Also, I tie both the top and bottom mask strings together at the nape of my neck (instead of one at the top of my head, and one at my nape), it leaves more space at the top for air to move around ( imo).

Good Luck! Youll get used to it!

[Aprilhere]

Ditto Crux. We had a girl in our clinical group that was repeating a semester. She'd worn a mask numerous times. One day though she was in a lengthy procedure...and almost blacked out. She was worried the next time going in..but hasn't had any problems since.

[Icare4u2]

You will get used to them. Make sure you don't have a latex allergy, though, because some masks have latex in them. If you do they can get you non latex masks. Good luck with the rest of school!!!

[RunnerRN]

Chew gum (since skanky breath doesn't have anywhere else to go), and don't wear glasses if you can get away with it. It always seem like I wear my glasses to work on days when I have to access a port and wear a mask