Posted by John O. on 5/7/2008, 2:15 pm, in reply to "Been prescribed Oxygen 24/7"
69.129.197.8
Probably the best site for an introduction is at:
http://www.portableoxygen.org/
As to your own situation, a lot will depend on what your supplier has available. If it orders liquid oxygen, you';; receive a reservoir to use to fill your portable and possibly to use around the house. The supplier will refill it, probably every couple of weeks. If you're lucky you may also have a plug-in concentrator for home use. Your liquid will obviously last much longer and need refilling less often in this case.
The most popular portables are Helios and Spirit, weighing between three and four pounds apiece. Helios is at:
http://www.heliosoxygen.com/
and Spirit http://www.cairemedical.com/ps_spirit.htm
Some suppliers don't offer liquid (LOX). In that case you'll have a concentrator and several compressed air tanks delivered to your home. The vary in size from the M6 -suitable for carrying in a backpack or over your shoulder; to an E tank, which you pull along behind you in a wheeled cart. They are generally heavier and somewhat more awkward to use.
Times vary, but any portable at a typical flow of 2 liters per minute will keep you out and about ffrom 2 to 5 hours. Obviousy the higher flow you need the less time the tanks will last.
Sometimes a unit called Homefill is available, which is a concentrator that allows you to fill portable tanks from it.
Of course it's probably been recommended to you that you O2 whle sleeping, and most people just hook upto their concentrators.
So call your supplier, see what's available, even go there to try different units if they;ll let you before you decide.
Finally, both the LOX and compressed air portables can be used with conserving deviced, which instead of continuous flow give you a puff of O2 only on demand, thus prolonging the time the oxygen will last.
Personal opinions vary, but I've been sold on LOX. Unfortunately many suppliers are cutting down or getting rid of it because of cost.
Responses: