Portable Oxygen Concentrator Guide - Care, Tips, Travel

Dear Tri-Med Customer:
Thank you for your purchase of a new Portable Oxygen Concentrator from Tri-Med, Inc. The following is a guide to help you get the maximum value and life from your new machine. This guide will also give you travel information for airlines and some things to check if you have trouble.
NOTE: IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED YOU HAVE A BACKUP SUPPLY OF OXYGEN AT ALL TIMES IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. The following is for information only.

1. When you get your portable oxygen concentrator, unpack it carefully and SAVE the box and packing material for the full warranty period.

2. Read the manual carefully and keep it with the machine. Write down your providers phone number and your doctors phone number in the manual. Run your machine for about an hour from the A/C adapter and from the battery to make sure the macine is working correctly. If your machine is pulse dose only, attach a cannula. Pulse dose only machines will alarm if they do not detect inhalation through the cannula. Breath normally and don't try to make the machine pulse. If you require more oxygen then set the machine to a higher pulse dose setting. If you have a pulse dose and continuous flow machine, just set it to 2 LPM continuous flow. Note: all new batteries are shipped with a battery charge of about 70-80% so you will have plenty of time to learn to use the machine before conditioning the batteries.

3. CONDITIONING your new batteries. Follow the charging instructions in your manual, otherwise you can use this procedure. Plug the machine into an A/C outlet, install the battery, Do not turn the machine on, let the machine charge the battery to 100% or until they reach full charge.

4. After charging the batteries, run / use the machine on battery power until the battery indicator says battery LOW or on some machines one bar.

5. Repeat step 3. Do this for each battery. Your batteries will now deliver there maximum time and life.

6. Note: It is normal for the batteries to get warm. If they get to HOT your machine will advise you and alarm. Just unplug the machine remove the battery and call your provider.

7. NEVER store your machine with dead / low batteries installed. Fully charge your batteries per your manual and remove them from the machine. NEVER store your machine with batteries installed for longer then 7 days. Even though your machine is off, its computer and other internal parts may still be running, draining the batteries until they are dead, if this happens the battery may no longer accept a charge and will need replacing.

8. If you are going to store your machine for 30 - 90 days or longer, Charge the batteries as instructed in the manual. Then remove the battery and store the machine and batteries in a cool well vented area. Do not store your machine for more then 90 days without running the machine for a minimum of 1 hour and charging the batteries. If possible run the machine as often as you can, they are designed to run 24/7, you will not shorten the life of your machine, in fact the opposite is true.

9. Before a long trip, clean the filter, charge the batteries and test run the machine for at least an hour.

10. When traveling in your car, place the machine in the seat or leg area and secure it with the seat belt. Start the car, then plug your machine into the cigarette lighter, then turn on the machine. NEVER store your machine in the trunk or the back seat for long periods, the extreme temperatures can damage your machine / batteries.

11. When using the machine on pulse dose mode, use either a 4 foot or 7 foot cannula. Longer cannulas and extension tubing will interfere with the portable oxygen concentrators ability to sense the negative pressure created by taking a breath. Replace your cannula every 7 days even if only used one time. When not using your machine, remove the cannula, and discard.

12. Pulse dose delivery from your portable oxygen concentrator is a mode of oxygen delivery that delivers a pulse or bolus of oxygen when you take a breath from your nose. The portable oxygen concentrator has a sensor that detects the negative presure created when you inhale. Pulse dose delivery cannot be used at night while sleeping. When sleeping use only continuous flow mode or your home oxygen concentrator.

13. If your machine has a continuous flow mode, you can use up to a 25 foot extension hose and swivel in continuous flow mode ONLY, all settings.

14. Keep your machine clean. Do not use cleaners, just a damp cloth. Remove and clean the filter weekly or just before a trip.

15. Always keep a current copy of your prescription with you.

16. When traveling overseas, make sure you have an A/C adapter plug or A/C converter set for the different styles of plugs and voltages around the world. Your unit comes with a standard U.S. power plug. Also check that your machine is compatible with voltage of the country you are visiting. In Europe and a few other countries, some of there cars still use a positive ground system for the cigarette lighter. ASK BEFORE USING YOUR AUTO ADAPTER, this type of car charger may damage your machine, do not use the cigarette lighter if it has a positive ground.

TROUBLE SHOOTING:

THINGS TO CHECK (Most Common):

1. The most common problem is ALARMS : Your portable oxygen concentrator has several alarms. Read your manual to be familiar with them. The most common alarm is a no breath detected alarm. Make sure the connection between the nasal cannula to the machine is snug. Check for kinks in the hose. Replace your cannula. If the alarm is still present then restart your machine. If the alarm continues after restarting the machine, contact your provider.

2. The machine says LOW BATTERY: Replace the battery with a fully charged battery or plug the portable oxygen concentrator into a working A/C outlet or plug the unit into a car cigarette lighter using the D/C adapter. (Note: When using the portable oxygen concentrator in continuous flow mode and plugged into D/C power, the concentrator may not charge the btteries if the flow is set above 2 liters per minute continuous flow. Check your owners manual.) If your portable oxygen concentrator contiues to alarm with low battery after fully charging the battery or battery life is significantly reduced, it may be time to replace the batteries. Typical battery life is 400-500 cycles, charge/discharge.

3. The machine works great on A/C at home but not in the car: Check the fuse for the cigarette lighter. If the fuse is ok, then have the cigarette lighter checked by your car dealer.

4. Oxygen concentrators produce a very dry and high concentration of oxygen from room air. Oxygen accelerates the rate of burning, so no smoking or open flames within 10 feet of the oxygen concentrator or any hoses.
We strongly suggest a No Smoking sign in any room where an oxygen concentrator is operating. We also suggest to get an OXYGEN IN USE sign for your home and place it where the fire department or police can see it.

5. ALWAYS have a backup source of oxygen that does not require power.

PREPARING FOR AIRLINE TRAVEL

People who are at risk for low oxygen levels should discuss their condition with there doctor well in advance of a planned travel and get a current prescription for oxygen.

Always check with your airline in advance for their rules on in flight oxygen. Always carry a copy of your doctors prescription with you.. The portable oxygen concentrator must have FAA approval.
Know what your oxygen requirements are and will be while flying. Aircraft cabin pressure changes during flight so understand what affect this may have on you. Most terminals will have A/C outlets along the wall and in restaurants for you to use for your POC and allow you to charge batteries if needed.
Most airlines want you to carry enough battery power to last 1.5 times the flight time. There is no standard, so find out in advance.
Some airlines have adapters (cigarette connections) on the seat arm for laptop and other electronics.

This is a guide for information purposes only.

Thank You

Tri-Med, Inc.