What it is
The Big Breathe V-PEP/IMT does two jobs in the one mouthpiece. Breathing in against resistance trains your inspiratory muscles, the same idea as a dedicated breathing trainer. Breathing out through it creates vibrating positive pressure, which helps loosen and move mucus.
The two resistances are set independently, so your physiotherapist can dial up the training side without changing the clearance side, or the other way around.
Who it's for
- People who need both airway clearance and breathing muscle training, rather than carrying two devices.
- Conditions where mucus and breathlessness go together, such as COPD, bronchiectasis and asthma.
- Recovery after a chest infection or hospital stay, where fitness and clearance both need work.
How to use it
Check both resistance settings are where your physiotherapist left them, and sit upright.
- Seal your lips fully around the mouthpiece. The seal matters: any leak and you lose both the resistance and the vibration.
- Breathe in deeply through the device, taking about 3 to 5 seconds, working against the inhale resistance.
- Breathe out through the device, again over about 3 to 5 seconds. You should feel the vibration from the ball inside.
- Keep the rhythm steady and regular rather than rushing, and rest whenever you need a normal breath.
- Cough or huff when mucus moves up, then carry on.
Choosing a setting
- There are nine levels, and the breath in and breath out are adjusted separately.
- Two vibrating balls are supplied: the one you fit changes how the device vibrates on the way out.
- The manufacturer doesn’t publish a starting level or a progression rule, so we set yours in clinic and adjust it at review.
Cleaning & care
After each use
- Take the mouthpiece, mouthpiece link and cap off the body.
- Wash those parts with water.
- Dry every part thoroughly before reassembling: the manufacturer specifically warns that leftover moisture can rust the spring inside the body.
Weekly deep clean
- Check the mouthpiece and cap for cracks and the ball for sticking.
- The manufacturer doesn’t publish a separate weekly deep clean for this device.
- Never share it with anyone else.
Avoid: boiling it. The manufacturer states plainly: do not boil in boiling water.
When to replace it
No replacement interval is published for this device. Replace it if the mouthpiece is cracked, the resistance feels inconsistent, or the spring sounds or feels rough.
Things to be careful about
- The manufacturer doesn’t publish a medical contraindication list for this device, so check with us before starting if you have any heart or lung condition, or have had recent surgery.
- Stop if you feel dizzy, lightheaded or unusually breathless, and let us know.
- Training against resistance should feel like effort, not strain. If it hurts, the level is too high.
Sources: Big Breathe V-PEP/IMT product information · Roku Care Big Breathe range. Instructions are summarised from the manufacturer and may change; always keep the leaflet that comes with your device.