Monday, June 21, 2010

Portable Oxygen Concentrators

The Portable Oxygen Concentrators are allowed for use aboard commercial airline flights traveling within the United States as well as on international flights that begin or end in the United States. Each Portable Oxygen Concentrators tested and approved for flight travel.
A portable oxygen concentrator, (POC) also called a portable concentrator is a portable device used to provide oxygen therapy to a patient at largely higher concentrations than the levels of ambient air. It is very similar to a home oxygen concentrator, but it smaller in size and more mobile. The portable oxygen concentrator makes it easy for patients to travel freely; they are small enough to fit in a car and most of the major concentrators are now FAA-approved.

For Last Few Years lots of new number of manufacturers have introduced portable oxygen concentrators. These produce less than one liter per minute (LPM) of oxygen and use some version of pulse flow or demand flow to deliver oxygen only when the patient is inhaling. However, there is a portable oxygen concentrator with up to 3 LPM of nonstop-flow oxygen. This machine also has pulse flow available to either provide higher flows or reduce power consumption. These portable concentrators typically plug into a wall outlet like the larger, heavier inactive concentrators.

Portable oxygen concentrators usually can also be plugged into a vehicle DC adapter, and most have the ability to run from battery power as well, either for ambulatory use or for use away from power or for airplane travel. The FAA has approved portable oxygen concentrators for use on commercial airlines, although it is necessary to check in advance whether a particular brand or model is permitted on a particular airline.
For safety reason, it is powerfully optional that patients that use Portable Oxygen Concentrators on airplane flights carry enough extra batteries that will last twice the duration of the flight to ensure the battery power will not run out during flight. Also make sure your Oxygen Concentrator is in good working condition before the flight; if it is not, there are many companies that offer Concentrator Rentals so patients. Before your fly, you must obtain a prescription from your physician and submit to the airline that you are flying with.

Some of the popular current airlines that allow Portable Oxygen Concentrators on board are American Airlines, America West, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines and US Airlines. Not all airlines allow Portable Oxygen Concentrators; please check with your airline to make sure that POCs are allowed on the aircraft.

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Monday, June 14, 2010

portable oxygen concentrators

Many people don't know that portable oxygen concentrators can also be used 24/7. It is not recommended of course since the big home oxygen machines are built for 24/7 use, while the portables are made for more just during the day or trip.

One of the only portable oxygen machines that will work 24/7. The reason behind this is because it gives out a continuous flow. Many patients don't know that continuous flow is what you need during night-time use. The reason behind this is because during the night about 85% of us are mouth breathers. If you are trying to use a pulse flow portable at night, and you are breathing through your mouth, it will not know when to give you oxygen. Pulse flow reads when you breathe through your nose and that is when you are given the oxygen. You will hear the noise and that is when it comes out. During the night you need that nonstop flow machine so even if you are breathing through your mouth your still getting the oxygen into your nose.

Even though continuous flow is what is optional during night time use, doesn't mean that pulse flow can't be used as well. The other 15% of us can sleep with pulse flow oxygen concentrators. I would only recommend this if you know from experience that you can, or if a doctor says you can. Some of us actually breathe through our nose at night, allowing us to use the pulse flow concentrator. Once again, only use a pulse flow machine during nocturnal use if you KNOW that you can from experience, or if your doctor tells you that you can.

Now always remember that if you are going to use portable oxygen concentrators 24/7 that they will not last as long. I recommend that if you have a home unit, and your around it use it! Those units are meant for 24/7 use, and our built to last. Hopefully after reading this I have helped you with knowing what you can or can't do with oxygen at night!