SQUEASE DPV- A, DPV- XXS, DPV- XS, DPV- C, DPV- B User Manual
The inatable deep pressure vest in a hooded top
User manual
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www.squeasewear.com
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Introduction
Prior to using the Squease pressure vest
Using the Squease pressure vest
Evaluating the eect of the Squease pressure vest
Product features
How to set up and use your Squease pressure vest
Care instructions
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CONTENTSINTRODUCTION
Dear Squease user,
Thank you for choosing a Squease pressure vest.
The Squease pressure vest is easy to use but before you start, it is important
to read this user manual carefully. To get the most out of your garment, please
follow the recommendations and instructions set out in this manual, and use
the accompanying Evaluation Booklet to help you monitor and evaluate the
benecial eect of the pressure vest with your day-to-day challenges.
Share your experience of using the vest with us and other users by sending us a
copy of your lled out Evaluation Booklet together with any other comments or
questions by email to info@squeasewear.com. Go to www.squeasewear.com to
read testimonials from other users and for further information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Have fun with your pressure vest!
The Squease team
If you have any doubts about, or are new to, deep pressure, we recommend that you
consult an Occupational Therapist (OT) or medical professional familiar with deep
pressure and Sensory Integration (SI) before you start using the pressure vest.
If you have any medical or physical conditions, which may be adversely aected by the
application of pressure, it is advisable to check with your doctor before using the vest.
IMPORTANT NOTE
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‘The deep pressure helps to relieve my anxiety.
I have worn the garment whilst driving my car
(always a very stressful activity), which resulted in
me being very relaxed.
I inate the vest a couple of times per day for
around 20 minutes at the time. After 10 minutes,
I start to calm down and enjoy wearing the vest
for just a little longer.’
- Marije
‘Everyone knows the story of the proverbial
straw that broke the camel’s back. Thanks to the
vest, Willem can prevent the camel’s back from
breaking in situations of increasing stress and
sensory overload. He now has a way to take some
weight o the camel’s back, which helps prevent
a lot of frustration and anxiety every day.’
- Willem’s mom
At school, I am now able to carry out tasks that I
would otherwise not have dared to do, and I can
complete them successfully!
The vest makes me feel less stressed when doing
schoolwork.’
- Chris
Deep pressure - improve sensory integration
When inated the vest becomes tighter and applies a rm pressure. Deep pressure
can have the eect of giving you a safe and secure feeling. For individuals with
sensory issues, the use of deep pressure on the muscles and joints can help improve
sensory processing and integration. Deep pressure has a regulating eect. It can
calm and soothe an over-stimulated, disorganised or ‘fearful’ nervous system and
can increase alertness and focus in an under-stimulated nervous system.
Daily challenges which can be alleviated by use of your pressure vest
Your Squease vest can help you to regulate responses to the challenges of every
day life. For example, in situations where you are:
1. over-stimulated (e.g. when feeling stressed, anxious or frustrated), deep
pressure can help you feel calm and recover to a balanced emotional state
more quickly.
2. experiencing rising tension, applying deep pressure, prior to or during the
trigger event can help you to prevent the resulting overstimulation.
3. under-stimulated (e.g. responses such as low concentration or engagement),
deep pressure can help you to feel more alert and able to focus.
Specic examples of scenarios in which the Squease pressure vest can help you
Your Squease pressure vest can be used to counter negative responses in a variety
of everyday scenarios and help you to:
• Feel calmer and recover more quickly from overstimulation, stress, or anxiety
• Deal with rising tension or frustration (e.g. triggered by waiting, preparing
for or wanting to nish an activity, having disagreements or accommodating
unexpected changes)
• Reduce complex behaviour (e.g. shut-down, aggression, tantrum or self-injury)
• Fall asleep and/or stay asleep
• Improve body awareness and postural imbalances
• Reduce distractibility, resulting in improved concentration and ability to
follow instructions and complete tasks independently
• Make transitions between activities
• Be more comfortable in stimulus-rich environments such as supermarkets,
at a birthday party, taking public transport, in a group or busy corridor
• Participate in social situations such as group discussions or meetings
• Feel safer and more comfortable and secure in general
The soothing and comforting eects that are experienced when using your
pressure vests may also improve mood and make you feel happier.
PRIOR TO USING THE SQUEASE PRESSURE VEST
Read more stories from Squease users on www.squeasewear.com
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USING THE SQUEASE PRESSURE VEST
Introducing the pressure vest
Take your time in getting used to wearing the vest and the experience
of pressure on your upper body when the vest is inated. Start o by
wearing and practising inating and deating the vest several times
when you are relaxed and comfortable before using it in a situation that
you may nd more challenging.
The fully inated pressure vest may act as a strong stimulus.
Users who respond strongly to deep pressure are advised to start with
a low level of pressure (ination) and to gradually increase the amount
of stimulation over time until an optimal level of pressure (ination) is
found. Users who prefer high levels of pressure stimulation may like to
inate and deate their vests several times before leaving it inated for
a longer period. We have observed this behaviour in many users and
recognise that it can help with self-regulation.
Recommended duration of ination
For best results inate the pressure vest for up to 20 minutes at a time
and then deate it for a minimum of 20 minutes before inating it again.
This will prevent your body from becoming desensitized to the pressure.
By alternating between periods of ination and deation, you will
ensure that your body experiences a similar response to deep pressure
each time.
20 minutes of ination is a guideline based on observations made by
Occupation Therapists, but you may prefer to have the pressure applied
for shorter or longer periods of time. Experiment with the duration of
applying pressure to determine an optimal length of time for you.
If you nd that you want to keep your vest inated for longer than
20 minutes - for example for the duration of a longer stress-inducing
activity - you will not experience any harm in keeping the vest inated
for a longer period.
The continuous eect of deep pressure
The regulating eect of deep pressure will last for up to 2 hours after the
vest has been deated. On days when you face many stressful moments,
we recommend you inate the vest at 2 hour intervals, for approximately
20 minutes each time, irrespective of your stress levels at those times.
This will reduce the likelihood and severity of overloading your sensory
system during the two-hour period.
Note that if you are using your vest as in accordance with the paragraph
above, you can also inate the pressure vest in response to additional
stress triggers in the 2 hours between ination.
Wearing the vest all day compared to on a ‘when required’ basis
The pressure vest can be worn all day in a deated state making it very
convenient to apply pressure when needed. However, wearing the vest
in hot weather may make you feel uncomfortably warm and in this
scenario we recommend you switch to wearing it when required.
Introducing the vest - when supporting a user
If you are supporting a user, introduce the vest when they are relaxed
and give them plenty of time to become used to wearing it in a deated
state. Gently inate the vest to apply low level of pressure only when you
think the user has become familiar with it. Monitor their response as you
increase the pressure, gradually building up to a desired level.
For rst-hand stories from users of how the pressure vest helped
them, please refer to the testimonials in this manual on pages [4] and
[12]. You can nd more examples of feedback from users by visiting
www.squeasewear.com, and of course, we would love you to contribute
any insight gained by your own experience of using the vest.
Stories from Squease users on www.squeasewear.com
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