Oxygen Concentrator Guide: Usage, Benefits & Safety

An oxygen concentrator is a device used by patients that need a high concentration of oxygen to treat a respiratory condition. Oxygen concentrators, as opposed to oxygen tanks, function by drawing in the ambient air and filtering out nitrogen and concentrating the oxygen for use by the patient. An oxygen concentrator has the advantage of not requiring continual refilling with heavy oxygen tanks and in that regard, it is more portable and safe. Generally, oxygen concentrators produce 85 to 97 percent pure oxygen.

Things You'll Need

• Oxygen concentrator

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Instructions

• 1

  Plug in the oxygen concentrator. Keep the concentrator away from heat sources, open flames and direct sunlight. If your doctor prescribes humidity with your oxygen, attach the water bottle as indicated on the machine. Make sure that all connections are secure.

• 2

  Attach the small diameter tubing onto the water bottle nipple from your face mask or nasal cannula. Switch the "ON/OFF" button into the "ON" position. An alarm will sound for 5 to 20 seconds to indicate the machine is operating.

• 3

  Turn the flow control knobs until the correct LPM, or liters per minute, of oxygen is displayed. Your LPM will be prescribed by your doctor. Place the oxygen mask or nasal cannula on your face.