A Complete Guide to Using Portable Oxygen Concentrators

POC’s or portable oxygen concentrators have tanks with compressed oxygen inside them.

POC’s irrespective of whether portable or stationery are capable of taking the air from the room and converting it into a concentrated form of oxygen. The air we inhale has 21% oxygen and the rest is mostly nitrogen. Most POC’s come with their carry-away cases and travel carts. They can be easily used while travelling or when you are outdoors. Let’s read a small guide on POC’s.

1. POC’s Run On Batteries

All portable oxygen concentrators run on batteries. In some, the batteries have a run time of 5 hours in some less. They come with their AC/DC adapters and can be charged easily when near an electrical outlet.

2. Ask For a Demand Valve

Patients should ask their travel medical assistance supplier to attach a demand valve to the POC. This will increase the time of usage of the POC. At all times, the patient should keep the details of the medical transport company handy in case there’s a problem.

3. The Continuous Flow POC

There are four types of POC’s with continuous flow available in the market. They are able to produce up to 3 liters per minute of oxygen, continuously.

4. The Pulse Dose POC

These machines do not deliver a continuous flow of oxygen. The oxygen is supplied in pulses, as and when the patient breathes. Most machines are able to deliver 450 ml to 1,250 ml oxygen per minute.

5. Choose the Correct POC

The selection of the right POC will depend on the daily routine and lifestyle of the patient. His activities including the sleep and rest patterns will have to be observed closely. Patients can also go for a combination of pulse POC when at home and continuous POC when out.