How Do I Properly Turn on a Portable Oxygen Tank?

If you have a respiratory illness or disease, you may find it difficult to get enough oxygen from room air. An oxygen tank, tubing and a nasal cannula -- small tubes that fit in each nostril -- provide supplemental oxygen. These tanks can be portable to allow for mobility during use. You must turn off portable oxygen tanks when not in use to prevent oxygen leakage. You must also replace them when they are empty, unlike concentrator units that plug into the wall and recycle room air. You should also follow specific steps when turning on a portable oxygen tank.

Things You'll Need

• Wrench (included with oxygen tank)
• Oxgen tubing with nasal cannula

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Instructions

• 1

  Attach the regulator to the top of the tank and line up the pins with the holes until the regulator is sitting in the correct position. Turn the dial clockwise until it is tight. Make sure the regulator is secure.

• 2

  Attach the wrench provided to the valve at the top of the tank. Turn it counterclockwise until you feel it give. Look at the fill gauge -- the needle should be indicating the amount of oxygen that is left in the tank. If the needle has not moved, open the valve further. If the needle still doesn't move, the tank is empty.

• 3

  Turn the oxygen flow valve to the pressure prescribed by your doctor. Typically, you will set the pressure between 2 and 4 liters per minute. Attach the tube to the output opening, and put the nasal cannula in your nose and the tubes over your ears. You should now feel oxygen coming through your nose.