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 provider's phone number and your doctor's 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 machine 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. Breathe 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 each battery to 100% or until it reaches 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 their maximum time and life.

6. Note: It is normal for the batteries to get warm. If they get too 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 than 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 ventilated area. Do not store your machine for more than 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 concentrator's ability to sense the negative pressure created by taking a breath. Replace your nasal cannula every 7 days, even if only used one time. When not using your machine, remove the nasal 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 pressure 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 portable oxygen concentrator 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 the voltage requirements of the country you are visiting. In Europe and a few other countries, some of their 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 it. 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 batteries if the flow is set above 2 liters per minute continuous flow. Check your owner's manual.) If your portable oxygen concentrator continues 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 getting an OXYGEN IN USE sign for your home and place it where the fire department or other emergency responders 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 their 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 doctor's 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.
Be aware of new FAA limits on Lithium batteries:
Size limits: Lithium metal (non-rechargeable) batteries are limited to 2 grams of lithium per battery. Lithium ion (rechargeable) batteries are limited to a rating of 100 watt hours (Wh) per battery. These limits allow for nearly all types of lithium batteries used by the average person in their electronic devices. With airline approval, passengers may also carry up to two spare larger lithium ion batteries (101–160 Wh) or Lithium metal batteries (2-8 grams). This size covers the larger after-market extended-life laptop computer batteries and some larger batteries used in professional audio/visual equipment. NOTE: Most portable oxygen concentrator(POC) double 16 cell batteries are over 160 Wh. Check the label on your batteries and carry enough single 8 cell batteries for your flight.

Quantity limits: None for most batteries — but batteries must be for use by the passenger. Batteries carried for further sale or distribution (vendor samples, etc.) are prohibited. There is a limit of two spare batteries per person for the larger lithium ion batteries described above (101–160 watt hours per battery).

Spare (uninstalled) lithium ion and lithium metal batteries, including power banks and cell phone battery charging cases, must be carried in carry-on baggage only. When a carry-on bag is checked at the gate or at planeside, all spare lithium batteries and power banks must be removed from the bag and kept with the passenger in the aircraft cabin. The battery terminals must be protected from short circuit.

This is a guide for information purposes only.

Thank You

Tri-Med, Inc.