Portable oxygen concentrators | VitalAire Canada (2024)

Portable Oxygen Concentrators

Home oxygen therapy is safe as long as you always follow a few simple rules.

Using oxygen safely

Home oxygen equipment is typically stored as a compressed gas in cylinders or as an extremely cold liquid in tanks. As oxygen can make things burn quickly, it’s very important when using it that you observe these general safety precautions.

Do

• Use the oxygen only as prescribed by your doctor;
• Have smoke alarms in your house;
• Secure cylinders to prevent them falling over;
• Turn off oxygen equipment when not in use;
• Clean the equipment regularly;
• Place a ‘No Smoking’ sign where you use the oxygen equipment;
• Keep grease, creams, oil products, flammable and combustible materials away from oxygen equipment;
• Use water-based lubricants with oxygen: consult your pharmacist for some safe alternatives
• Ensure that oxygen equipment is used and stored in well ventilated areas and away from humid or wet environments;
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby;
• Let your clothing and bedding ventilate for 15 to 30 minutes to become oxygen-free;
• Keep your oxygen tubing tucked under your shirt when cooking.

Do not

• Smoke or let others smoke in your home or near your oxygen equipment;
• Use oxygen equipment near electrical equipment that gets hot or can spark. Keep it at least 1.5m, or 5 feet away;
• Use oxygen equipment near matches, candles, gas appliances, open flames or fires. Keep it at least 3m, or 10 feet away;
• Allow others to operate the oxygen equipment without training;
• Tamper with or attempt to repair your oxygen equipment yourself;
• Transport unsecured cylinders in a vehicle;
• For further information consult your oxygen equipment’s user guide.

Portable Oxygen Concentrator Guides

Your Home Oxygen Guide:

Easy pulse Manual:

Oxygo Manual:

Plan for a power outage

Our primary concern is for your safety.

Your home oxygen concentrator is powered by electricity, so it is critical that you are set up with a backup oxygen tank or a portable concentrator, and that you are comfortable using it. If you live in a remote area, install a generator at home.

Use this checklist to help you prepare:

• Tell your power provider that you rely on electricity to supply your oxygen equipment;
• Check your emergency backup cylinder weekly;
• Have flashlight with spare batteries in a handy place;
• Don't use candles for light;
• Keep a mobile phone charged and handy;
• Have a contact list for family, friends, carers, doctors, emergency services and VitalAire;
• Review your plan twice a year and keep it handy;
• VitalAire has prepareda simple emergency plan form you can download here:

  Download PDF 57.09 KB

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