How to Use an Oxygen Machine at Home

Oxygen works in the body the way gas works in your car. It moves food into the cells, helps carry away waste products and enervates your brain so that each part of your body knows what to do. Some illnesses deprive the body of the oxygen it needs to function properly. Chronic respiratory illnesses, heart problems and neurological disorders can cause your body to use more oxygen than you are able to bring in by breathing. In these cases, it is necessary to use oxygen from an external source.

Instructions

• 1

  Keep your oxygen stored upright in a cool but not freezing area that is easy for the person to get to. Make sure that it functions when it is delivered and be certain that the valve on top of the machine is tightly closed until you are ready to use it.

• 2

  Check the gauge every few hours. When it reaches the beginning of the red warning line, it is time to change tanks.

• 3

  Shut off the valve on the old tank. Unscrew the hose that goes from the nasal cannula or breathing mask from the old tank. Screw it in to the new tank and slowly turn the valve so the oxygen is flowing. Check the amount of oxygen coming through and set the setting valve for the percentage of oxygen your doctor ordered. The setting valve is beside the oxygen valve.

• 4

  Place the mask or nasal cannula back in place so that it comfortable but secure on your face or in your nose and breathe as normally as possible.

• 5

  Use the oxygen with extreme caution around fireplaces or cooking devices. Oxygen will not explode unless under extreme pressure, but oxygen can make a small fire bigger. Since you can hook up to 50 feet of tubing to your tank or machine, it should be easy to keep it out of the kitchen and away from fireplaces.