Honest question: why do they need an electronic device for this? If the goal is just to provide resistance against breathing, wouldn't it work just as well to suck air through, say, a narrow straw?
As to using "a narrow straw," no, because these resist both your inhale AND exhale, and while it is easy to exhale through a narrow straw trying to inhale just causes the straw to collapse (or you won't get enough air and will have to stop/pass out). They're designed to resist but not limit.
After having tried a breathing trainer, it definitely feels like real exercise even just at your desk, and I cannot imagine doing it for 15-minute sessions via a narrow straw.
What about just using a metal straw?
I'd just buy a breathing trainer with adjustable resistance (start low, set a time goal (e.g. 15 minutes once a day), and increase it one level every session until you fail, then move back one, do a few sessions, then try to move up, repeat).
What your father is doing is known as Straw Breathing, you inhale normally, then exhale via a drinking straw. Repeat for five minutes.
We're discussing bi-direction breathing training, wherein resistive inhaling is a significant part of the exercise regimen and one not offered in [easier] Straw Breathing.
If you have a study that compares Straw Breathing to using a Breathing Trainer it would be a welcome addition to the discussion. But currently straw breathing is primarily aimed at bringing people from below back to normal lung function, whereas breathing training is meant to improve lung function above normal.
Lowering Blood Pressure in 5 Minutes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KueabH8B8M
Claim: "The K series devices all feature a unique, patented, electronically tapered flow resistive loading valve. This means the resistance is constantly monitored and tapered to match your reducing strength throughout the breath thus allowing greater flow and maximum volume rather than cutting off half way through the breath."
Never tried it, but it is firmly planted in my head as random trivia.
[1] https://malct32.blogspot.com/2011/03/rectal-stimulation-to-c...
If they're stubborn you may need to repeat the fill/empty cycle 2 or 3 times. 100% success rate for me and my family and friends. I guess the it helps relax the diaphram to take control of it and put it through its paces.
1. Inhale until lungs are at full capacity.
2. Hold your breath as long as you manage comfortably.
3. Breathe in and out slowly for a couple of breaths. I.e. don't gasp for air.
I also long suspected it may work by reducing the activity/stimulation of the diaphragm.
I think my version works because the diaphragm can’t spasm when it’s stretched (or contracted, not sure which) so far out from its neutral position. If I think of it next time, I’ll have to try your method out!
There's something a lot of people (including myself) do which sounds a lot like Darth Vader, which is to cup your open mouth and breathe in while getting stressed about things.
You probably don't need a device at all to do breathing exercises (like a kapalbhati in Hindu tantric traditions, though the whole exercise involves stuff you need a tub for).
The electronic device is probably better for a medical setting , because it will not just measure, it will track the activity in some way - the numbers matter because the medical practice is evidence based in a good way, the goal being to titrate a dosage, even for exercise interventions.
Breathing sounds easy but it is real exercise if you set the resistance high enough. I found it unpleasant and stopped doing it, especially because the device gets kind of gross and needs frequent disassembly for washing according to the manual. But I really should probably start again given the low time investment and multiple studies that show a large blood pressure benefit relative to other interventions.
https://lamusainstrumentos.es/en/smile-plus.html
Has a little yellow flowmeter on the left side that has to stay within a particular range. On this version, it is a smiley face, but on other models there are three ranges, the slowest intake being the best.