How to Change Oxygen Cylinders

Oxygen cylinders are frequently used with home health patients for transportation and as a backup for electrically powered oxygen systems. The fact that they are self-contained, use no power and are easily stored make them ideal for this purpose. When a cylinder runs low, it must be changed out with a new, full one. While this change out is not particularly hard, it must be done in a safe manner to avoid injury.

Things You'll Need

• Alternate oxygen supply
• Full oxygen cylinder
• Cylinder wrench

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Instructions

• 1

  Place the patient on an alternate supply of oxygen. Ensure that this source is working properly.

• 2

  Turn off the flow from the cylinder by turning the knob on the oxygen flow meter. Close the valve on the top of the oxygen cylinder using a cylinder wrench. Disconnect the regulator-flow meter from the empty oxygen cylinder and discard the used plastic gasket.

• 3

  Remove the plastic sealant wrapper from the new, full cylinder and retain the included gasket. Open and close the valve on the top of the new cylinder in a quick fashion to blow out any contaminants. Install the new gasket into the regulator. Place the regulator onto a new cylinder and tighten. Turn on the regulator and adjust the flow meter to the desired amount of flow. Listen and feel to ensure that oxygen is indeed coming out of the flow meter. Place patient back onto the full cylinder, if desired.