Limitations & Usage Guidelines

Platform Stability

Sleeping on your stomach with your face directly in a pillow is a completely new way of sleeping, but there are several limitations related to this sleeping position. One significant concern involves airflow limitations when it comes to mattress placement. For instance, the sales package does not include a bed frame, headboard, or footboard.

The face rest scissor lift Proning Assembly needs to be placed on a stable platform. Some bed frames have slats that support the mattress. If your platform has slats, you will need to place a 14-inch by 14-inch board over the slats where the face rest cavity goes.

Mattress Placement & Airflow

It's crucial not to position the mattress head directly against a wall, as doing so can create a bowl effect that traps the carbon dioxide you exhale. Additionally, if the headboard has a solid backing where the mattress contacts, it can also lead to a carbon dioxide trap.

With so many styles available, recommending a specific headboard can be challenging. However, it should feature some open architecture to allow for proper airflow. Most headboards, when placed against a wall, leave a gap of 3 to 4 inches from the head of the mattress to the wall, which is sufficient for adequate air flow.

The wooden headboard shown at the top of the page has a nine-inch opening, which aligns perfectly with the nine-inch mattress, ensuring that airflow is unaffected. At the same time, the face rest proning assembly remains over 3 inches away from the wall.

Bed Frame with Solid Platform

This platform serves as a solid base, making it ideal for placing the Face Rest Scissor lift upon, especially when considering airflow limitations that can affect mattress placement and overall sleeping position.

Solid Headboard

Placing the mattress on this type of platform may create airflow limitations, leading to a carbon dioxide trap that causes the sleeper to re-breathe their air, potentially affecting their sleeping position.