Portable oxygen when driving

[Coachtrip]

I'm a carer for a friend new to LTOT. She is allowed to drive but has to use oxygen in cannisters while doing so. I have been advised from respiratory nurse that they must remain upright. I have tried securing them with seat belts in the back seat but it's not satisfactory. They do fall over and it's not safe and a worry for her when she is driving.

Does anyone out there in this kind community have any suggestions from their own experience as to what would work?

Thank you 😊

[2013mayo]

my husband has one too, it just rest on the floor at back of drivers seat, it doesn’t roll around. If anyone has other ideas I’d be pleased to know.

[NHgardener]

A friend is an EMT who scared the heck out of me when he described responding to fatal car accidents where oxygen bottles were unsecured. The tanks became grisly projectiles. I’d try again to secure the tank, maybe look into bungee cords or - I’m serious! - seatbelts for dogs…

[Coachtrip in reply to NHgardener]

Thank you. I checked out the bungee cords.

I think they could work.

I didn't know about dog seatbelts but it's always another option.

I didn't realise just how dangerous oxygen cannisters could be in an accident. Brought home how important it is that they are secure.

Thanks

[Patk1]

Have u tried bungeeclips

[Coachtrip in reply to Patk1]

No but I think I will, thank you

[LissacFrance]

Before coming up with bright ideas, what size oxygen tank are we talking about? Chris.

[cazza34]

Hello CoachtripI also use canisters and use an old oxygen backpack attached to the drivers seat, its secure and the cannula is at the side. I'm sure you could fashion a backpack to fit, maybe by attaching cords to fit ?

[Biker88]

what about a wheelchair or mobility scooter bag which fits on the back of the scooter seat, you should be able to get one that will fit the back of a car seat. If you have a local CareCo you could pop in and ask them for advice

[jackdup]

Have you checked with the supplier of the oxygen tanks, perhaps they have a device specifically for this purpose? Good luck finding something that works if they don’t.

[PaulineHM]

Hi, some great suggestions here- such an innovative lot of folk!

I use a Helios flask which is in its own backpack. I secure it on the back seat by strapping it in and using the Velcro straps to keep it there.

Hope you find something which works for your friend.

Go well,

Pauline

[gingermusic]

Have a word with your oxygen supplier, as mine which is British Oxygen have exchanged all portable oxygen cylinders for a small portable concentrator which is much easier and safer and can also be charged in the car if and when needed

[Coachtrip in reply to gingermusic]

Thank you so much everyone for your brilliant suggestions. Vivisol is the supplier and now they can give me a cover which fits the cannister. It has straps on the back so it looks like it can be attached to the driver's seat, which is great. One cannister lasts for 4 hours but for longer time away there needs to be other ways of

managing, so all your ideas are definitely worth looking at.

It takes time to adapt to this new way of living and my friend is still quite overwhelmed.

I am heartened to have such positive and friendly folk on this forum that I can contact.

Many thanks again. 😊

[warwickstag in reply to Coachtrip]

I drove for many years with portable oxygen cylinders using the carrybag straps supplied to carry the O2, and the rear seat belt to secure it in place.You mention that a cylinder lasts 4 hours. Do you use a conserver? This is a device which is attached to the portable cylinder and triples the longevity to 12 hours. Your oxygen supplier should supply you with one, either a mechanical one, or a battery powered one. Both are effective but I found the mechanical one more reliable/foolproof as it doesn't rely on you remembering to take a spare battery. The conserver works on the same way as the breathing cycle. A third of the time is the inhalation phase when it supplies oxygen as normal, but for the remaining 2/3 of the cycle, the exhalation, it shuts itself off thus not wasting oxygen while you breathe out, unlike continuous flow which wastes oxygen during this phase. They really were a godsend to me when I was able to get out and spend 15 hours fishing, using just 3 cylinders. I think the conserver is limited to 8 or maybe 6 lts/min but it sounds as though your requirement is much less than that if a cylinder lasts 4 hours. I hope this proves useful to you.

[Coachtrip in reply to warwickstag]

Thank you. This is all very interesting information I wasn't aware of and I hadn't heard about conservers before.There has been just the one visit from the Respiratory Nurse and at the moment my friend is on continuous oxygen as she has a problem with carbon retention. Maybe the pulse oxygen will come in the future.

I had heard of p.o. but when I asked about it I was told she wasn't ready for it yet.

What you have explained will hopefully

be helpful in the future.

It's much appreciated. Thanks again

[Otto11]

It’s not something I know about but how about a box of some sort?

[Timberman]

You can buy (British Oxygen I think) a carrier which will fit on your back like a knapsack. So what we do is use the straps to secure it to the seat back; that keeps it upright and accessible all the time.

[blackbird65]

Try Velcro straps?

[Coachtrip in reply to blackbird65]

Thank you.