Whats a safe smoking distance from an Oxygen Concentrator?

Dont mean to offend you. I think I would vote for the next county!

Maybe the oxygen concentrator could go outside while they're smoking inside.

Just kidding....

For those with concern about the flammability of materials exposed to high oxygen levels, BW Honeywell makes a Gas Alert Clip Extreme Oxygen Monitor (O2) GA24XT-X (~$133.00). It can be set to alarm when O2 levels exceeds 23.5%.

I don't see any studies or literature on it's use for COPD patients using supplemental oxygen. But if it works, I would think the fire safety concern would dissipate. I'd be interested if anyone has any experience with this idea.

JayR_1945 wrote:For those with concern about the flammability of materials exposed to high oxygen levels, BW Honeywell makes a Gas Alert Clip Extreme Oxygen Monitor (O2) GA24XT-X (~$133.00). It can be set to alarm when O2 levels exceeds 23.5%.

I don't see any studies or literature on it's use for COPD patients using supplemental oxygen. But if it works, I would think the fire safety concern would dissipate. I'd be interested if anyone has any experience with this idea.

Thanks, but It wouldn't do anything useful for an oxygen concentrator user. An O2 concentrator doesn't increase the O2 concentration in the room as a whole. O2 will only be a problem if the vented O2 ends up concentrated in your hair, in your bedding, in your clothing, etc.

If you've got compressed O2 tanks, or are in a facility with piped O2, it might help.

By the way, several people have mentioned having "liquid O2" for home O2 use. Does anyone actually have liquid O2 for home oxygen, or is this just people mistaken about their compressed O2 tanks?

Good point. The only problem would be in the immediate area of the cannula. But that should dissipate soon after turning it off. I don't see any studies on O2 concentrator fire hazards.

But, if you use a concentrator in a closed bedroom, does your sleeping partner end up with a lower level of O2?

I thought O2 becomes liquid when it is compressed to some PSI at a certain temperature. So, they may be talking about compressed O2. But there is a WIKI about using "Liquid Oxygen" supplement, ....a strong snake oil influence.

JayR_1945 wrote:But, if you use a concentrator in a closed bedroom, does your sleeping partner end up with a lower level of O2?

Except for the small amount of O2 stored in the machine, any O2 in the room air intake to the concentrator comes out the other end of the machine as O2 enriched air, so the O2 balance is the same. Only the O2 the patient actually "burns" would be consumed and the patient burns O2 even without the concentrator.

Even if the concentrator input was in one room and the O2 output went into another room, I can't believe the concentrator sucks up that much O2 or rooms aren't sealed tight enough to matter.

JayR_1945 wrote:I thought O2 becomes liquid when it is compressed to some PSI at a certain temperature. So, they may be talking about compressed O2.

Oxygen will not turn into a liquid at any pressure if it's above -100C. Liquid O2 for portable oxygen storage would only make sense if its stored at cryogenic temperatures at a fairly low pressure. You'd need a mechanism to allow the O2 to heat up as it's used, too.

"IMHO", if you have a housefull of potheads, the least of the problems is where the oxygen concentrator is located.

I believe the Helios is an example of liquid oxygen. That's the stuff if your finger gets in its stream the finger "freezes" or whatever and falls off?

My pulmonologist wrote me a script for a Helios when I didn't have the slightest idea what the heck it was. When the DME provider delivered it and showed me how to use it to fill a portable tank I sent it back. I was scared to death of the darn thing!

NotMuffy wrote:"IMHO", if you have a housefull of potheads, the least of the problems is where the oxygen concentrator is located.

LMAO

Not according to AA, lmbo, it is the only problem. How many had no idea what they were smoking? AA?

Does this mean that FO won't need a fire suit? I won't mention using the blower to shotgun, lmao.

archangle,

I appreciate your empirical "Systems" approach. And you must have paid attention in Chemistry class, or your CPAP treatment is working better than mine. I have a hard time remembering the subtle details. I'd still like to see some good studies and hard data.

I was one of those sleepy males having a hard time staying awake back in Chemistry class, learning all those wrote equations. The hands-on labs were more "interesting", ....the potential for blowing the place up and impressing that cute redhead.

By the way, several people have mentioned having "liquid O2" for home O2 use. Does anyone actually have liquid O2 for home oxygen, or is this just people mistaken about their compressed O2 tanks?

There are still cases where DME's will supply a person with Liquid O2 for home use. The cost of this is Higher than just giving someone a concentrator to go however, and the DME does have to do regular visits to exchange the main tank I believe. The biggest benfit to the Liquid O2 supply is not having the monthly power bill for the concentrator, nor the extra heat from the concentrator. I believe they would normally use Liquid in places where power is unreliable.

The other thing, while you can turn off a concentrator, the Liquid O2 is always offgassing. even if not in use.

Here is a link I found on it. http://www.medox.org/liquid.htm

OK, Helios IS liquid O2 (LOX). Apparently home oxygen can be concentrators, compressed O2 tanks, or liquid oxygen. You larn sumthin every day.

The liquid O2 tanks will apparently vent a small amount of O2 some of the time when it's not being used to keep the liquid cold. I would expect this to be a much lower flow rate than the therapy flow rates.

NotMuffy wrote:"IMHO", if you have a housefull of potheads, the least of the problems is where the oxygen concentrator is located.

Thank you for your valuable opinion. I'll be sure to keep that in mind.

SleepingUgly wrote:Why don't you find out if there's a true NEED for oxygen?

FishOil wrote:allright ill do that

Let us know what the results of an overnight recording pulse oxi test using bipap and no O2 at home show for ya, FishOil.

You are still planning to ask the doctor to order that, aren't you?

Bluecat wrote:Based on my experience and rested gal's friend's experience, I would definitely ask for an overnight SpO2 recording without O2. IMHO it can only have positive effects:
* if your SpO2 doesn't drop below normal values, you will be able to get rid of the cumbersome and heat-generating oxygen concentrator and it will be easier to adjust to your bipap.
* if your SpO2 does drop, then at least you will know how important it is to keep the concentrator and make your treatment work.

My grandma needed oxygen. She had a gas stove. She had to change to an electric stove before they would deliver her machine/supplies.