Classic II SE Question

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I hope this doesn't sound stupid to anyone, but you never know unless you ask. I start LPN school on Aug 16. I do not have a medical background so all of this is new to me. After reading reviews and posts on this board I decided to purchase the Littmann Classic II SE as my first scope. I ordered the purple. It came yesterday and I love it, but I am concerned because the tubing has that new sticky rubber feel. I wasn't expecting it to be so sticky and stick to my neck when I hang it there. Are all of these like that? I really liked the tubing on the Sprague much better, but didn't like the double tube look. Any suggestions on how to get rid of the stickiness? Thanks!!

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Hi - I started nursing school with the Littmann Lightweight steth b/c it was the cheapest, and I knew I wanted to treat myself with a new steth after I graduated. I purchased the same steth you bought after graduation, and neither of my steths had the "new sticky rubber feel" that you mentioned.

Both of mine felt....like what you would expect rubber to feel like...definitely not sticky. Maybe you should exchange it for a new one?

Good luck with school!

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I have the classic II SE and did not experience the sticky feeling either.

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I just got the same stethoscope and I agree with everyone else that there was no stickiness. If you can, I would definitely send it back!

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Just to chime in as mine didn't have any sticky feel what so ever.

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Thanks for the replies. Maybe it is just me. I love the way it sounds and I love the color so I will probably just deal with it. I start school in a week and they told us to have it the first day so I probably don't have time to return it and get another one. Thanks for the help!!!

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I have the same model and color as you and I did notice it was sticky. I had the tubing changed from a lighter color and as I handled the new tubing more and more the gloss has dulled a little and the stickiness has gone away. I'm so in love with the color by the way!

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Thanks! That makes me feel better. I have noticed that it doesn't feel as sticky now as the day I received it. It might have something to do with sitting in a hot UPS truck in the HOT south for several days. Ha Ha!! I love the color also and the sound quality. I think I can deal with the stickiness.

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I don't recall my Littman being sticky.

But what I really wanted to add are these points:

1. The oils from your hair and skin will ruin the tubing over time. So keeping it around your neck all the time will decrease the "life expectancy" of the tubing. Now, that said, I always have mine around my neck but I have short hair and my hair does not touch the stethoscope. I work 2 eight hour shifts a week and have done so for the last 2 years. And I had the same 'scope since entering LPN school. So this scope has had almost 4 years use. I definitely notice a change in the tubing where the stethoscope rests on my neck. I looks worn out and a bit dried out. (odd since you'd think that the oils would lubricate that area). My friend has the same model Littman for the same amount of time. She does not keep hers around her neck..and there is no noticeable difference in her stethoscopes tubing at all.

2. Keeping a stethoscope around your neck can end up being a great way for a combative, agitated, and/or aggressive patient to hurt you. I say this from experience. I was working as an EMT, had my stethoscope around my neck while transporting a very aggressive and combative patient. He reached up and grabbed the ear pieces with one hand and the bell with the other and then pulled to where he was literally strangling me with my own scope! Thank God the paramedic was in the ambulance with me, he was able to pry my stethoscope from the guys hands. I had a nice red, raised welt where the tubing was cutting into my neck! (yes, I pressed charges against him! And the ER staff, the Police and the other EMTs were not at all happy that this 6 foot 4 inch 265 pound man tried to strangle the 4ft 11in 100 pound me).

The paramedic that literally saved my life gave me a little trick to use. He said sling the stethoscope over your shoulder with the bell to your back and the ear pieces to your front. If any patient grabs the scope to use against you, they will pull the ear pieces which will fling the bell part forward, possibly giving you time to react as said patient moves back from the bell coming directly at them. :)

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Great tip Pixie! I'm going to pass that around as we all wear ours as half necklaces, lol! I bought one of those hip clip steth holders, but haven't used it as I hate drawing attention to my love handle area, lol! After I drop my nursing school pounds maybe I can wear it :jester:

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