Portable Oxygen Guide to Freedom!

If you are reading this, you’re probably sick of carrying around oxygen tanks, and looking for more oxygen freedom. You might find yourself very confused when looking for the right portable oxygen concentrator for you. This guide will walk you through all the right questions to ask and help you identify the right portable oxygen concentrator for you.

We have been able to help many Oxygen users find their Freedom with a portable oxygen concentrator. 

All those conversations typically start out the same way. “I was at the doctor’s office, and I saw someone with a really tiny oxygen machine” or “I was watching TV and I saw a commercial for a new oxygen unit that just came out”. 

Those are great things to hear, but it doesn’t mean that the machine you saw was the right one for you.

One of the benefits of a Brick and Mortar store like Copper Star Home Medical, is the opportunity to speak with a professional. We understand the right questions to ask you and know all the machines out there to help you find your FREEDOM. Here are a few questions we ask when you step foot into our showroom.

Continuous or Pulse?

One of the biggest questions for your portable oxygen concentrator is understanding if you plan to sleep using this machine or just one for daytime use. Also, we need to know if you use a CPAP machine as well at night. While the small concentrators are lightweight for carrying around during the day, they are not ideal for sleeping on, especially if you have a CPAP machine. There are 2 different settings used on a portable oxygen concentrator, continuous flow or pulse dose. Both are great but have a specific purpose.

Continuous flow means that the oxygen is continually blowing at a set flow rate. Pulse dose means that the machine will sense when you take a breath and give you a bolus/pulse of oxygen only when you breathe in. There are significant benefits to each; continuous flow is ideal for the patient that is sleeping on the machine or uses a CPAP machine at night. Also, because it is a constant flow, it typically is more comfortable to keep your oxygen saturation up. The downside to Continuous flow is that with a portable oxygen concentrator, the battery does not last as long. Pulse dose is ideal for daytime use while the patient is out and about. The most significant benefit to pulse dose is that you can drastically increase your battery life.

There are many options of portable oxygen concentrators that have continuous flow and pulse dose, and others that only have pulse dose. The smaller/lighter units are pulse dose only typically.

What is your liter flow?

Now that you have determined if you need Continuous or Pulse dose, we also need to consider what the Dr. has prescribed as the amount of oxygen you need. All portable oxygen concentrators will do pulse dose, its just a matter of how much. Some units will only go up to a setting of 3, while others will go up to a 6. Only some of the portable oxygen concentrators will do continuous flow. Typically, those units will go up to 2 liters per minute, but there are a few that will go up to 3.

When it comes to pulse dose concentrators, it is always best to have your physician write on the prescription “Titrate to pulse dose conserving device”. This allows a respiratory therapist to spend some time with you figuring out what settings on a portable oxygen concentrator work best for you. They will put you on the portable oxygen concentrator you just purchased, put an oximeter on your finger, and walk around the showroom to monitor your oxygen levels at different settings. This will help you understand what your body does with different settings.  

Do I need a prescription for oxygen?

Yes. Oxygen is considered a prescribed drug. I know, I know, how is this a drug? You may even ask yourself, “I breathe oxygen every day without a prescription.” Normal air we breathe every day only contains 21% oxygen. An oxygen concentrator typically puts out 90-96% oxygen.  

Talk with your physician and have them either fax us the prescription or bring it in with you.  

How do I get the best option for Oxygen FREEDOM?

Come into our store and speak with one of our highly trained professionals. We will walk you through everything and help you find the best option for you. If you come into your showroom before 09/31/2020, you will get an additional $125 off your purchase of any portable oxygen concentrator. Many of the portable oxygen concentrators are approved for flying as well. Come into today and ditch the tanks. Find your FREEDOM with Copper Star Home Medical Supplies.  

Author: Korry Johnston