Using a rented oxygen concentrator safely at home

What a concentrator does

An oxygen concentrator takes in room air, filters out most of the nitrogen, and gives the person air with more oxygen in it, through a soft nasal tube (a cannula) or a mask. It runs on mains electricity, so it does not need refilling like a cylinder.

It supplies oxygen as the doctor prescribed. It does not treat the illness that makes oxygen necessary, so keep following the doctor's other advice and go to follow-up visits.

Before delivery

• Keep the doctor's prescription ready. It should give the flow rate (litres per minute) and how many hours a day oxygen is needed. The technician sets the machine to it.
• Choose a spot near a wall socket in the room where the person spends most of their time. The socket should be in good condition and not shared with heavy appliances such as an iron or a geyser.
• Think about power cuts. If your area has them often, tell us, so we can talk about a backup before you need one.

Where to place it

• In an open, airy spot, standing upright, with space all around so air can flow in and out. Not inside a cupboard, behind curtains or under a table.
• Away from heat: stoves, heaters, direct sunlight and the kitchen.
• Away from anything that burns. While oxygen is in use, no smoking, candles, diyas, agarbatti, mosquito coils or gas flames in the room. Oxygen makes fire spread faster and burn hotter.
• Plugged straight into a wall socket. Don't use an extension board or a multi-plug adapter.
• With the tubing laid where nobody will trip on it and doors can't crush it.

Using it every day

• Use only the flow rate the doctor prescribed. Don't turn it up or down on your own. If the person seems to need more or less oxygen, ask the doctor.
• If there is a humidifier bottle, fill it only up to the marked line with the water the technician recommends, and change the water every day.
• Check that the nasal tube sits comfortably and is not kinked or blocked.
• For dry lips or a dry nose, use a water-based moisturiser. Avoid oil-based creams and petroleum jelly on the face while using oxygen.
• Switch the machine off when it is not in use.

Keeping it clean

• Switch off and unplug the machine, then wipe the outside with a damp cloth. Never spray liquid into it.
• Clean or change the filter and tubing as the technician shows you. Each person should have their own tubing.
• Wash your hands before handling the tubing.

If an alarm sounds or something seems wrong

• Check that the plug is in, the power is on, and the tubing is not kinked or loose.
• If the alarm keeps sounding, or you are not sure the machine is working, call us. We will help on the phone and replace the machine if it is faulty.
• If the person's breathing gets worse, call 108 first, then us.

When you no longer need it

Call us, or book a pickup from My rentals. We collect within 24 hours, check the machine, and refund the deposit within 3 days of that check.