The word SQUEASE is a compound of the English words SQUEEZE and EASE. ‘Squeeze’ means firm hug and ‘ease’ means to relax or soothe. So Squease is a solid hug for relaxing!

Squease, like weighted vests, provides deep pressure on the upper body. However, Squease does not use weight for this, but air pressure. The pressure vest is easily inflated with the hand pump, allowing the user to determine and regulate the amount of pressure. Working with air pressure, the vest is nice and light, foldable and easy to carry, so you always have it on hand when needed.

A weighted vest VS a Squease vest:

• A weighted vest is often too heavy for children, after all, they are not bodybuilders An aggravation vest weighs between 2 and 6 pounds. The compression vest is lightweight, it still weighs less than 250 grams. We sometimes hear that children do not like a weighted vest because it is too heavy for them. It can also cause poorer balance in small children.
• A weighted product is often only used indoors because it is heavy and thus difficult to carry. The pressure vest is lightweight and is foldable, so can be easily carried.
• A weighted vest provides pressure mainly from the top of the shoulders; the pressure vest provides pressure around the entire upper body.
• A weighted vest cannot be worn all day due to habituation to the weight and constant carrying of the pounds. As a result, you have to put it on and off often. This in turn creates new stimuli for the wearer, which is often too much to bear at a difficult time. The pressure vest can be worn uninflated all day and can be inflated only when needed without adding the incentives of putting it on.
• A weighted product gives one particular amount of pressure that you cannot easily alternate. With the pressure vest, you can control the amount of pressure yourself whenever you want by inflating it further and deflating it again.
• A weighted vest is thick and heavy so it is often worn over clothing for all to see. The pressure vest is very thin (even when inflated), making it easy to wear under clothing. Because of this, you can hardly see it, if at all. (The pressure vest can also be zipped into a special hooded vest)
• The pressure vest allows you to sleep comfortably because you can disconnect the pump. Because the vest is around your body, you can easily sleep and turn with it and it stays in place all night. A weighted product such as a blanket can slide off you when you turn and is not recommended for sleeping with because of its weight.

Watch the video and find out what Squease is within 2 minutes!

Squease is an inflatable pressure vest designed for people with peculiarities in sensory information processing, such as occurs in people with autism, ADHD, high sensitivity or intellectual disability, among others.

Inflating the pressure vest makes it tighter and provides even pressure on the upper body, similar to a firm hug. Firm pressure stimuli make you feel comfortable, safe and protected. Pressure has a regulatory effect and helps to better process and integrate incoming stimuli. The vest can help calm an overstimulated or “anxious” nervous system, better manage stress and anxiety, reduce problem behavior and prevent tantrums, concentrate better or fall asleep faster.

Read a detailed explanation of stimulus processing and deep pressure here stimulus processing and deep pressure here.

Deep pressure is giving firm pressure to the body that allows the central nervous system to better process and integrate sensory stimuli. Everyone has a natural need for safety, security and warmth. That deep pressure produces a calming effect is nothing new. Consider, for example, the effect of a firm hug when you are upset, or swaddling restless babies. Individuals who have stimulus processing problems and often feel restless or anxious can benefit greatly from deep pressure. It helps to calm an overstimulated or “anxious” nervous system, and it makes one feel safe and protected.

The regulatory effect of deep pressure
Deep pressure has a regulatory effect on stimulus processing and alertness. It has a calming and soothing effect when overstimulated and can increase alertness and concentration when understimulated. This helps you cope better with stress and overstimulation, allows you to concentrate better and fall asleep faster, and can also reduce tantrums. The regulatory effect of deep pressure continues for 1 to 2 hours after the pressure stimulus is given.

Read a detailed explanation of stimulus processing and deep pressure here stimulus processing and deep pressure here.

Stimulus Processing / Sensory Integration
A stimulus is information that comes in through our senses; seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and feeling, through our body (external stimuli) or our thoughts (internal stimuli). This information is processed in our brain so that we can respond to it. This process is called sensory information processing, also called stimulus processing.

Problems in stimulus processing / Sensory Integration Disorder
Sensory Integration Disorder (SI) is a neurological disorder that causes problems registering, processing and responding to sensory information. Individuals with problems in stimulus processing often have a different filter on the stimuli they receive. They may sometimes react very strongly or, on the contrary, not react at all or hardly at all to stimuli and have difficulty distinguishing between main issues and side issues. This can lead to anxiety, stress and sensory overstimulation, cause difficulty concentrating because you are easily distracted or cause a busy and full head.

Squease pressure vests are suitable for children 4 years and older, teens and adults. We recommend using our size chart to determine the correct size pressure vest and not the age of the user.

Determine your size on our sizes page.

Children, teens and adults with stimulus processing problems may benefit from the use of a pressure vest.

The Squease pressure vest is successfully used in people with:

• Anxiety Disorders
• Asperger Syndrome (AS)
• Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Burn-out
• Dementia
• Gilles de la Tourettes
• High sensitivity/high sensitivity (HSP)
• Non-congenital brain injury
• Developmental delay
• Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD / PDD-NOS)
• Proprioceptive Disorder
• Sensory Integration Disorder (SID)
• Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
• Sleep disorders
• Down syndrome
• Intellectual disability
• Whiplash

If you are unsure about applying deep pressure, or have no experience with deep pressure, consult an (ergo)therapist or medical professional familiar with deep pressure and Sensory Integration (SI), or contact us.

For best results, watch our “Tips for Using Squease” video and read the user manual. The evaluation booklet can help you assess the effects of the pressure vest in everyday situations.
Learn more about deploying a Squease pressure vest here.

How to use the pressure vest.

Here is an abbreviated version of the instructions:

• Wear a thin shirt under the pressure vest.
• Make sure the zipper is closed all the way to the top. Adjust the Velcro parts so that the vest sits loosely around the upper body when not inflated and provides a comfortable deep pressure when inflated. Maintain a space of two to three finger-widths between your body and the empty vest. This provides a good starting point.
• Squeeze the hand pump repeatedly to inflate the pressure vest so that you feel a comfortable firm pressure. To deflate the pressure vest, hold down the button on the hand pump.
• The hand pump has a built-in valve that limits the pressure level in the vest. The children’s sizes XXS and XS have a second safety valve that lets excess pressure out of the vest. Therefore, it is not possible to over inflate the vest with the included hand pump.
• The coupler in the air hose allows the pump to be disconnected after the vest is inflated. Press the little button and pull the two parts of the coupler apart. The little valve then closes and the pressure vest remains inflated!
• We recommend keeping the vest inflated (firmly) for about 20 minutes and then also deflating it for at least 20 minutes before re-inflating. You may find it comfortable to experience pressure for a shorter or longer period of time. It does not hurt to leave the vest inflated for longer than 20 minutes.
• Before you start using Squease during your daily activities, think about when you feel stressed, anxious or overstimulated.
• Introduce the pressure vest gradually so you can get used to the new experience of firm pressure on your upper body.
• When supervising a young Squease user or someone with an intellectual disability, give her or him hints at times when the vest can be inflated or deflated again. Try to let them do as much as possible on their own, so that they experience for themselves that they can influence the amount of pressure. Always pay close attention to the reaction of the person wearing the vest.
• The lightweight pressure vest can basically be worn all day under your own clothes or in a Squease hooded vest. So you always have it on hand when needed.
• If you are unsure or have no experience applying deep pressure, consult an (ergo)therapist or medical professional familiar with deep pressure and Sensory Integration (SI) before using the Squease pressure vest.

We recommend keeping the vest inflated (firmly) for about 20 minutes and then also deflating it for at least 20 minutes before re-inflating.

You may find that shorter or longer inflation periods are better for you. Try for yourself which duration has the best effect for you. If you find that you enjoy leaving the vest inflated longer than the recommended 20 minutes – for example, because the activity you find exciting lasts longer – there is no harm in leaving the vest inflated longer.

It is not possible to over-inflate the pressure vest with the included hand pump. For user safety, the hand pump has a built-in valve that limits the pressure level in the vest.

PLEASE NOTE! NEVER inflate the pressure vest with any device other than the pumps supplied by Squease B.V.

The vest is easy to wear under your own clothing. Because the vest remains relatively thin when inflated, you can hardly see it when you wear a hooded vest, sweater or blouse over it. Once you have inflated the vest, you can disconnect the pump. The pressure vest is comfortable to wear with a thin shirt underneath.

Sleeping well can be difficult for people with problems processing stimuli. They often lie awake for a long time; worrying and grinding and they do not feel that their body is tired. Difficulty falling asleep and waking up often at night, these are problems that we hear about regularly. Deep pressure can help with this. Below are a number of different ways in which the pressure vest can be used for a good night’s sleep:

1. Use the pressure vest for 20 minutes until just before you go to bed

Do you have trouble falling asleep at night? Then it can help to incorporate the pressure vest into your evening routine. Because the regulating effect of deep pressure continues for about 1.5 hours after deflating the vest, you can relax wonderfully with an inflation period just before going to sleep. The vest makes you feel your body better and you are ‘less in your head’. This way you can fall asleep peacefully.

2. Fall asleep with the pressure vest inflated

Some users prefer to fall asleep with the vest on. If necessary, the vest can be deflated by someone else. Sometimes parents check back 30-45 minutes later to deflate or remove the vest.

3. Keep the vest inflated all night

Do you often wake up at night and have trouble falling asleep again? Squease users indicate that when they wake up again when the effect of the deep pressure has worn off, they choose to inflate the vest when they go to bed and only deflate it the next morning. The constant deep pressure stimuli will help you sleep well. It does no harm to leave the vest inflated all night.

Read the experiences of Squease users who use their vest while sleeping:

The vest can be used depending on the moments when there is a need for deep pressure. This can also be preventive to prevent overstimulation, frustration and anxiety. Some users will only use the vest for specific activities or at those moments when they feel overstimulated or understimulated. Others have a constant need for deep pressure because there are multiple moments of tension during the day. They will use the vest at fixed times during the day. Investigate with the vest what works best for you.

The pressure vest can be used:

1. Time-based: the vest is deployed at specific times, for example daily at 10am, 3pm and 7pm.
2. Activity-related: the vest is used during certain activities, for example at school or just before going to bed.
3. Tension level related: Tension level related: the vest is used in case of under- or overstimulation, for example in case of frustration or stress.

or a combination of the above methods.

Read the experience stories to find out when others use their pressure vest.

The most common situations in which Squease is used are listed below.
The Squease pressure vest is used to:

• to calm down and recover faster from restlessness, overstimulation, stress and anxiety
• better deal with increasing tension or frustration (waiting, completing activities on time, arguments or unexpected events)
• to reduce problem behavior or prevent escalation (shut-down, tantrum, aggression, self-harm)
• fall asleep faster and sleep better (less brooding and worrying, waking up less often at night)
• to improve body awareness and posture
• to increase concentration and focus (following instructions, completing an activity independently, being less easily distracted)
• to make transitions between activities easier
• to feel more comfortable in stimulating environments (in the supermarket, at a birthday party, on the bus, in a group, in a busy corridor)
• to experience the environment as a whole rather than fragmented
• to participate in social situations such as (group) conversations and meetings
• feel safer and more comfortable in general

The calming and soothing effect experienced when using the pressure vest can also make you feel happier and more cheerful in general.

The pressure vest can be used at different times. These can be times of:

1. overstimulation (e.g. stress, frustration, anxiety, panic). The deep pressure gives more rest and ensures a faster recovery.
2. preventative in case of rising tension or before a difficult situation. Deep pressure ensures that frustration, restlessness or overstimulation is prevented.
3. understimulation (e.g. absence, low concentration). The pressure vest ensures better alertness and concentration.

Om te kijken of het drukvest ook iets voor jou is kun je het vest eerst uitproberen met onze huur-koop service.
Je kunt hier minimaal 4 weken een drukvest huren voor €50 en maximaal 8 weken voor €100. Zo heb je genoeg tijd om het vest te proberen tijdens verschillende momenten die jij moeilijk vindt.

Do you like the vest after the rental period?
Then you can purchase the vest the rental period and all rental fees paid will be deducted from the purchase price! So you don’t pay any extra cost if you want to rent the vest first before purchasing it.
The remaining amount after a 4-week rental period is:
€325 pressure vest – €50 rental = €275 or after 8 weeks for €225 the pressure vest is yours after the rental period

Unexpectedly not the desired effect?
If, after the rental period, you still have doubts as to whether the Squease vest has sufficient added value, we can, if you wish, look together at how you can better use the vest for your situation.

If it is not what you expected, simply return the vest to us.

We are aware that some Squease users are rougher with the vest. For example, they may chew on the vest or the pump. The Squease vest is robust and made of high-quality materials with these users in mind. We would like to ask you to handle the rented vest carefully and neatly, but to use it as you normally would.

Most vests are returned to us in good condition and on that basis we can continue to offer the rental service. Very occasionally a vest breaks or is returned in very poor condition, which means we are forced to charge repair costs or cleaning costs. We try to avoid having to charge extra costs, so if you want to rent the vest for a user with more extreme behavior that you want to discuss with us before renting, please contact us.

At the end of the rental period there are 2 options:

1. The Squease pressure vest can be purchased

If you are satisfied with the vest, it can be purchased after the rental period. As soon as you decide to purchase it, you can keep the vest you rented. That vest is also well adjusted to your body. The rental costs will then be deducted from the purchase price. The remaining invoice will be sent by e-mail. The amount can be transferred to our bank account.

Example calculation buy after rent:
You paid €50 for a 4-week rental period, or €100 for 8 weeks.
A pressure vest costs €325.

The remaining invoice amounts to €325 (purchase price) – €50 (rent) = €275 or €325 (purchase price) – €100 (rent) = €225.

2. The trial period ends

If the vest does not have the desired effect, please send us an email that you want to return the vest. Then send the vest in a protective packaging with the standard parcel post back to:

Squease
Nobelstraat 25
3262PL Oud-Beijerland
Netherlands

You will receive a message when your vest has been returned. If you live nearby, you can of course also drop off the vest at the reception or at our office.

We would love to hear about your experiences at the end of your rental period; both the good and the not so good. With this we can continue to improve the pressure vest and our guidance.
We can be reached via e-mail or at telephone number 06-40168387.

The rental period starts on the next day after you receive the vest, not the day you ordered or paid for the vest. We keep track of the delivery by the courier and the start date in our system. There is no need to let us know when your pressure vest has been delivered.

The rental period ends on the day after the rental weeks have expired. You may also use and try out the vest on the last day of the period. We will send an email towards the end of the rental period after which you can indicate whether you want to purchase the vest or return the vest.

• It is possible to try on and experience the vest at our office in Oud-Beijerland.
  Please make an appointment first at nikki@squeasewear.com.
• If you live too far away, you can also order a vest from our webshop. We will send it to you so you can try it on in your own familiar surroundings and return it up to 30 days later.
• We can also regularly be found with passports at conferences and information markets throughout the country.
• Squease ambassadors often also have 1 or more sizes available for fitting.

It is important to choose the size of the Squease vest carefully so that the pressure vest is loose when not inflated and provides comfortable, firm pressure when inflated. The vests can be adjusted using the Velcro parts on the vest. A pressure vest that is too large will not provide sufficient pressure.

In the size chart you can see which size pressure vest fits you. So don’t automatically assume the standard clothing size that you are used to buying.

Sometimes vests are returned from a rental period or pressure vests are renewed for demonstrations. These pressure vests are then offered for second-hand sale after they have been cleaned first. They are in excellent condition and are comparable to a new pressure vest. They sometimes have minor signs of use or have undergone a small repair.

A second-hand pressure vest can be ordered with a 75 euro discount (i.e., for 250 euros) from the web shop.

You can also rent a second-hand vest first, please contact us for this.

Available while supplies last.

Handpompje en luchtslang
De handpomp en de luchtslang kunnen met een vochtige (microvezel) doek worden afgenomen. Dompel de pomp niet volledig onder water.

Webshop
Through the webshop you can pay with:

• iDeal
• Credit card
• Bancontact / Mister Cash
• Klarna
• Paypal

Ordering on invoice
It is possible to order by invoice and transfer the amount o.v.v. the invoice number to our bank account.

Financing options
We like to think of solutions to keep the pressure vest affordable for everyone, so we offer several options.

Company data
Squease BV
Nobelstraat 25
3262PL Oud-Beijerland
Nederland

Bank | ING bank
IBAN | NL71 INGB 0104 4284 57
BIC | INGBNL2A

VAT | NL865716080B01
KVK | 91624967

Shipping and handling costs to an address in the Netherlands are €6.95 incl. VAT. Shipping costs to Belgium are €12.50 incl. VAT.
If you order a small part, such as a pump or valve, shipping costs are €3,00 in the Netherlands and €6,00 to Belgium.

The package will be sent by registered mail with PostNL.

After your payment is received, the order will be shipped as soon as possible. You will be notified when your order is on its way. In general, it takes 2-5 business days for the order to be delivered.

Exchanges
You may always exchange the vest for another size within 30 days, provided the vest is returned unwashed, unworn and undamaged. If you would like to exchange your order, please contact us before returning the order.

Returns
You may return items within 30 days of purchase provided the items are returned in good condition. This means that the items are not damaged, dirty, washed, altered or worn.

If the vest is returned unwashed, unworn and undamaged in original condition, the full purchase price will be refunded. Of course, you can try on the vest and see if it fits well, just like you would in a clothing store. If you want to wear the vest longer and try if it works for you, we recommend our rental program.

Return shipping
If the vest needs to be returned to Squease, you can send it to this address:

Squease
Nobelstraat 25
3262 PL Oud-Beijerland
Netherlands

Please note that the vest is packed sufficiently protected so that it cannot be damaged during transport.

PLEASE NOTE: Do not forget to clearly state your name and zip code as the sender, so that we also know whose vest we have received in return.

Our vests are made of sturdy material and will last for years with normal use. The vests from the first production series in 2012 are still in full use. If something unexpectedly breaks on your vest, please contact us. We offer a guarantee and have various tips to easily fix the defect. If something breaks, we would like to hear about it, because we always want to learn how to improve our vests.

Warranty
There is a 6-month warranty on new vests and a 3-month warranty on used vests. If something breaks within six months (or 3 months for second-hand vests) to two years after purchase, we will repair the vest or part and charge a small repair fee. Please contact us in case of a broken vest or part and together we will look for a suitable solution, you do not have to send the vest back to us because often replacing a small part is enough.

Fix defects
Is something broken on your vest? Most problems are easy to fix yourself. Please read our tips or contact us before returning the vest to us.

• Is the coupling stiff?
  The coupling can become stiff because the black rubber ring is a bit dry. You can easily fix this by putting some oil on the coupling. Be careful not to get any oil in the valve because it can leak.
• Is there a hole in your vest?
  We can easily stick it. Contact us.
• Is the tube broken?
  The hose can be cut to size or replaced.
• Is the zipper broken?
  Does the zipper no longer close properly or does it spring open from the bottom? Then it may be that the metal zipper puller is slightly bent. By squeezing the zipper puller closed again with pliers, the problem is usually solved.
  If the zipper is really broken (the teeth or the block at the bottom are broken), we would like to receive the vest back and we will discuss the options with the studio.
• Is the vest leaking?
  Could you test these two things to determine the cause?
  1) Inflate the vest and then hold the pump + hose in a bowl of water to see if bubbles escape.
  2) Inflate the vest and then disconnect the pump. Hold the white valve + tubing under water and see if bubbles escape.
  It could be that either the pump, the air hose or the valve of the connector is leaking. If so, we will send you a new one, otherwise we would like to receive the vest back for examination. It is also possible that the vest is deflating because the white valve is being pressed after the pump is disconnected.

If we would still like to receive the vest so that we can examine and repair it, we can send you a loan vest for that period so that you do not have to do without your vest.

We try to collect as many experiences as possible, so that new users get an idea of situations in which the pressure vest can help and how Squease can be used.

If you want to write an experience story, try to answer the questions below.
Use a maximum of 200-300 words to do so

• What is your first name, age and diagnosis if applicable?
• At what times/in what situations do you use the vest?
• What is the effect of the pressure vest? For you and possibly for the people around you?

We would like to use your story for our website and other communication channels (such as Facebook). We would also like to place a photo of you and your vest with your story, but of course your story can also be anonymous.

Mail your story to nikki@squeasewear.com

Of course you can! You can download our product flyer here. It is also possible to receive paper product flyers to hand out to friends, family, clients and students. Please contact us for this at nikki@squeasewear.com.

Of course you can! You can download our manual and accompanying evaluation booklet here.