To ensure our patients are successful with oxygen therapy, AdaptHealth provides comprehensive resources and information on oxygen equipment and services. We invite you to take a look at our tank duration and device support resources.

General Help

Using your equipment

Concentrator use
  1. Plug concentrator into a 120V wall outlet. Do not use extension cords or power strips.
  2. Place the nasal cannula on face (or mask over nose and mouth with strap around head). Insert the two prongs into nostrils (prongs must curve upward and toward the face). Slide tubing over and behind each ear. Slide adjuster upward under the chin to secure cannula to face.
  3. Turn on concentrator power switch. Motor will begin, and an alarm will sound for a few seconds while pressure is reached.
  4. Adjust the liter flow.

If your physician has prescribed you a Humidifier Jar for your Concentrator:

  1. Fill humidifier jar with water – distilled water is recommended. Refill as needed. Discard any remaining water before refilling.
  2. Attach humidifier jar to concentrator’s oxygen outlet or tubing connector.
  3. Attach nasal cannula to humidifier jar.
The flow can be adjusted in two ways

Rotary knob: turn knob to prescribed liter flow.
Flow tube: turn knob until the ball inside of tube is at the prescribed liter flow.

  1. Use at the prescribed liter flow. Remember that more is not necessarily better! If your physician changes your prescription, notify us immediately so we may adjust your delivery schedule.
  2. Always use your oxygen according to your physician’s prescription. Oxygen is a medication that has been prescribed by your physician and it should be used exactly as they have directed.
  3. Use for the prescribed amount of time each day.
  4. Use for the prescribed activities.
Cylinder with regulator or conserving device use
  1. Open cylinder by turning valve on top of tank with wrench/toggle counter clockwise.
  2. Adjust liter flow by turning the dial on the regulator/conserving device to the prescribed liter flow number.
  3. Place the nasal cannula on face as described under “concentrator use”.
  4. Use at the prescribed liter flow. Remember that more is not necessarily better!
  5. Use for the prescribed amount of time each day.
  6. Use for the prescribed activities.
How to use a regulator with tanks
  1. Locate two small alignment holes on the side of the tank valve.
  2. On the regulator, you will see two small pins and one large pin with a washer. The two small pins match up with the alignment holes on the tank valve.
  3. Place the regulator on the oxygen tank and align the two holes with the pins.
  4. Tighten the “T-handle” on the regulator.
  5. Use the cylinder wrench and turn counterclockwise (to the left) to open the valve. Note: If you hear oxygen escaping, turn the valve off. Verify regulator and washer placement and tighten the regulator “T-handle”.
  6. Check the regulator gauge to verify oxygen level. The tank duration chart below will show you how long your oxygen cylinder will last.
  7. Attach your oxygen tubing to the regulator outlet.
  8. Adjust oxygen liter flow by turning the dial on the regulator to your prescribed flow rate. Most regulators have “windows” or “indicator points” to indicate oxygen flow in LPM.
Turning oxygen off

Turn the valve on the oxygen cylinder clockwise (to the right). Let the oxygen flow until the gauge reads “zero”. Always turn the cylinder off when not in use.

Maintenance

1. Replace nasal cannula/mask weekly

2. Replace oxygen tubing every 3 months

Cleaning

Wipe concentrator, cylinder, and regulator with clean, damp cloth (water only). NEVER spray anything on or into equipment (example: 409, Fantastic, Pine Sol, etc.).

Check weekly the vacuum air inlet filter, if applicable

  1. Remove inlet filter(s) from concentrator
  2. Vacuum both sides
  3. Replace inlet filter(s) in concentrator

Clean the humidifier jar weekly

  1. Wash in warm soapy water and rinse.
  2. Soak in a 1 to 3 mixture of white vinegar and water for 30 minutes and rinse.
  3. Discard vinegar/water mixture after each use.
  4. Replace monthly.

Concentrator Troubleshooting

Alarm Sounds
  1. Use back-up oxygen supply
  2. Check plug is in outlet
  3. Check that circuit breakers/fuses are in good condition.
  4. Check concentrator circuit breaker is in good condition (reset button)
No Oxygen Flowing from Nasal Cannula
  1. Use back-up oxygen supply
  2. Check for loose tubing connection
  3. Check for loose humidifier jar on concentrator
  4. Check that the nasal cannula tubing is free of water
  5. Check that the nasal cannula tubing is not crimped or pinched off
  6. Check for bubbles in concentrator’s humidifier jar or place nasal cannula in a glass of water to check for bubbles
  7. Check for blocked inlet filter on concentrator
  8. Check fill level on cylinder
  9. Check that cylinder is on
  10. Check that liter flow has not been turned to “0” or “off”

Safety

Fire safety
  1. Oxygen is not flammable and will not explode. However, oxygen does support combustion. This means that oxygen makes things burn faster and ignite easier.
  2. Use and or store oxygen in a well-ventilated area because oxygen accumulates around the user and immediate surroundings.
  3. Do not use petroleum-based ointments or lotions in or around your nose, such as Vaseline, Vick’s, Chapstick, etc. Oxygen can react violently with these oil-like substances and can cause burns.
  4. Keep all oxygen equipment at least 15 feet from any type of open flame. Take care to avoid open flames while using oxygen, including matches, fireplaces, barbecues, stoves, space heaters, candles, etc.
  5. Do not smoke within 15 feet of the oxygen set-up or oxygen patient.
  6. Avoid using electrical appliances that produce sparks, such as electrical heaters, electric razors, hair dryers, friction toys, remote toy cars, etc.
  7. Use of a smoke detector and a fire extinguisher is highly recommended when using oxygen in the home.
  8. Plan an evacuation route for you and your family in the event of a fire.
Oxygen storage and handling
  1. Oxygen tanks should be stored in a stand or cart to prevent tipping and falling. Store extra unsecured tanks by placing them flat on the floor. Do not allow tanks to stand or lean in an upright position while unsecured.
  2. Do not store oxygen systems in unventilated areas such as closets or cabinets. Never drape clothing items near heat or ignition sources.
 

Oxygen Tank Duration

D tanks are smaller than E tanks and are portable, while E tanks are larger and are often used in home care settings. Factors that affect duration include the patient’s prescribed flow rate, the tank’s capacity, and whether the patient is using a regulator or a conserver.

Estimated E-tank duration

Select liter flow-per-minute

Times based on adult regulator.

2000 psi

11 hrs 22 mins

1500 psi

8 hrs 32 mins

1000 psi

5 hrs 41 mins

500 psi

2 hrs 51 mins

2000 psi

5 hrs 41 mins

1500 psi

4 hrs 16 mins

1000 psi

2 hrs 51 mins

500 psi

1 hr 25 mins

2000 psi

3 hrs 47 mins

1500 psi

2 hrs 51 mins

1000 psi

1 hr 54 mins

500 psi

57 mins

2000 psi

2 hrs 51 mins

1500 psi

2 hrs 8 mins

1000 psi

1 hr 25 mins

500 psi

43 mins

2000 psi

2 hrs 16 mins

1500 psi

1 hr 41 mins

1000 psi

1 hr 8 mins

500 psi

34 mins

Estimated D-tank duration

Select liter flow-per-minute

Times based on adult regulator.

2000 psi

6 hrs 55 mins

1500 psi

5 hrs 11 mins

1000 psi

3 hrs 28 mins

500 psi

1 hr 44 mins

2000 psi

3 hrs 28 mins

1500 psi

2 hrs 36 mins

1000 psi

1 hr 44 mins

500 psi

52 mins

2000 psi

2 hrs 18 mins

1500 psi

1 hr 44 mins

1000 psi

1 hr 9 mins

500 psi

35 mins

2000 psi

1 hr 44 mins

1500 psi

1 hr 18 mins

1000 psi

52 mins

500 psi

26 mins

2000 psi

1 hr 23 mins

1500 psi

1 hr 2 mins

1000 psi

42 mins

500 psi

21 mins

 

The Device Support You need

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If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please dial 911.