What it is
Kan-Breathe is an oscillating PEP device. Stainless steel ball bearings and an internal diaphragm create pressure and vibration as you breathe out through it, which loosens mucus from the airway walls so you can cough it up more easily.
It works on the breath out only, so it isn’t a breathing-muscle trainer. It’s drug-free, needs no batteries, and is made in Australia from high-strength polypropylene with stainless steel balls.
Who it's for
- Adults with asthma, COPD and other conditions where mucus builds up.
- Children from 7 years old, with an adult supervising between 7 and 12.
- Smokers and ex-smokers, and older people who find it hard to clear their chest.
- Singers, swimmers and athletes wanting to clear their airways.
How to use it
Sit comfortably upright and have a tissue ready.
- Take the rubber mouthguard off and place the device in your mouth, held level or angled slightly up towards your nose.
- Breathe in slowly through your nose, then hold that breath for 1 to 2 seconds.
- Breathe out slowly through the device, keeping your cheek muscles firm. Kan-Breathe suggests resting a hand against your cheek to check they aren’t puffing out.
- Adjust the angle of the device until you can feel the vibration in your chest rather than just in your mouth.
- After 2 to 5 minutes, cough to clear any mucus that has moved up, into a tissue.
- Carry on for up to 10 to 15 minutes if you need to, resting whenever you need a normal breath.
Choosing a setting
- Resistance is set by which steel ball is fitted: a small ball for lower pressure and a large ball for higher pressure.
- The small ball is the starting point for children aged 7 to 12 and for anyone with weaker lungs; most adults use the large ball.
- To change it, unscrew the head and swap the ball. Ask us if you’re not sure which one you should be using.
Cleaning & care
After each use
- Turn the head anticlockwise to take the device apart, and take out the steel ball.
- Wash the parts in lukewarm water with dishwashing liquid, or a suitable disinfectant.
- Rinse and let everything dry completely.
- Reassemble once dry, making sure the ball is back in place.
Weekly deep clean
- Kan-Breathe doesn’t publish a separate weekly routine: the after-use clean above is the manufacturer’s method.
- Give it a closer look once a week for cracks, a sticky ball or a worn mouthguard.
- Don’t boil it or put it through the dishwasher unless the manufacturer’s leaflet says you can.
When to replace it
Kan-Breathe describes the device as built to last for years and doesn’t publish a replacement interval. Replace it if it’s cracked or damaged, if the ball sticks, or if you stop feeling the vibration in your chest.
Things to be careful about
- Kan-Breathe advises checking with a health professional before you start, particularly if you have a heart or lung condition.
- It is not a replacement for your medication. Don’t stop or change any prescribed treatment without talking to your doctor.
- Children aged 7 to 12 should always be supervised by an adult.
- Stop and rest if you feel dizzy or lightheaded, and tell us if that keeps happening.
Sources: Kan-Breathe official site · Kan-Breathe mucus clearing device. Instructions are summarised from the manufacturer and may change; always keep the leaflet that comes with your device.