Oxygen Concentrator

[Garythedad]

My daughter has asthma and sleep apnoea and needs a oxygen concentrator for use at night, anyone bought one recently? She has bottles under her bed at home but we are looking to go away abroad and the bottles are a problem. Any pointers or advice would be appreciated.

[mrsmummy]

Hi, welcome to the forum. Not all portable concentrators will be suitable. I suggest you speak to her respiratory nurse and ask advice.

[stone-UK]

Hi

A lot depends on LPM required. Continuous flow or pulse flow.

Portable concentraters only go to 3lpm on continuous or as much as 9lpm

on pulse.

The light weight concentraters go to 5lpm pulse only.

All are suitable for airline travel, confirm with airline.

All are suitable for 24/7 use.

Airlines require sufficient battery power for duration of flight.

You can hire, expect charges to be £200/£300 per week.

Or self purchase upto £2500 depending on make,extra batteries.

One point to consider you will have no back up in case of power cut or unit failure.

Look to see if your country of destination as a oxygen provider.

Is it only at night when oxygen required.

[judg69 in reply to stone-UK]

Important Correction to an earlier reply ---pulse flow portable units may say 4 or 5, but that is NOT 4 or 5 lpm. I am on oxygen 24/7 2 lpm to 4 lpm, and have a portable concentrator that I use when I go out, usually set on 3 or 4, and that usually satisfies me where I would have used 2 lpm continuous flow otherwise. Pulse Flow units are NOT recommended for sleep use as many of us are shallow breathers, and as such they would not activate the pulsed oxygen. Regards, judg69

[Garythedad in reply to stone-UK]

Thank you, I have been looking at a Philips EverFlo Oxygen Concentrator, its been serviced and all the filters changed. Its more in line with our budget at £400.00. Have you had any dealings with that unit at all. It does continues flow up to 5 LPM and comes with new fittings. Yes Harriet only requires it to enable her to sleep properly.

[stone-UK in reply to Garythedad]

Hi

It's quite heavy at 15 kg.

I presume you don't need oxygen full time, I would check with airline about transporting whether as hand luggage or would have to in the cargo hold, if so will require special packages.

philips.co.uk/healthcare/pr...

[Garythedad]

Yes it is but largely for use in our caravan. (Hook up) should be ok, I will put it on the list of options.

[judg69]

5 lpm continuous flow should be fine for your daughter. Double check her o2 prescription with her doctor to be sure. Glad you found such a reasonably priced unit. Best Wishes, judg69