How to Connect Tubing to an Oxygen Tank

Several delivery systems are available to those who require home oxygen (O2); the most widely used are O2 concentrators that draw the gas from the atmosphere and purify it, and refillable small tanks (usually M or D cylinders) for use when out of the house. However, in the event of a power failure, concentrators will cease to function and M and D cylinders contain less than 700 liters of oxygen and don’t last for long. In a blackout, everyone who requires constant O2 should have a large tank backup system (E or H cylinder).

Things You'll Need

• Large O2 tank
• Regulator
• Flow meter if not incorporated into the regulator
• O2 nipple or bubble humidifier
• O2 extension tubing (in lengths from 7-50 feet)
• O2 tubing adaptors (one for every length of O2 tubing)
• Nasal cannula

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Instructions

Connecting a Nasal Cannula to an Oxygen Tank

• 1

  Remove the plastic plug from the cylinder valve. A flat plastic cover is used for E cylinders; a round cap for H cylinders (with H cylinders, if the cap won’t come off, briefly “crack” or quickly open and close the cylinder valve to blow off the cap; point the valve away from people).

• 2

  Mount the regulator onto the cylinder valve. In all cases, it can be fitted only one way. For E cylinders, tighten the regulator with the attached thumb screw; for H cylinders, use an adjustable wrench to tighten the bolt with only moderate torque. A flow meter should be attached to the regulator ahead of time by your home health provider.

• 3

  Once the regulator is attached, open the cylinder valve (the knob on top of the H cylinder; with E cylinders, a special key fits onto the top of the tank).

• 4

  Screw the O2 nipple or bubble humidifier into the output port of the flow meter (if an E cylinder has a flow dial, this step is not needed). If you mount a humidifier, be sure that it is in an upright position and that the plug over the output port is removed, or it will explode.

• 5

  Attach O2 extension tubing or the distal end of the cannula tubing to the nipple or humidifier. If you're using extension tubing, plug an O2 tubing adapter into each length of tubing used (by connecting extensions, you increase your mobility) and, using another adapter, plug the cannula into the last tubing used.

• 6

  Open the cylinder valve in 1/4 rotations. Either open the valve on the flow meter or dial in the desired liter flow per your doctor’s orders. The pressure gauges of both H and E cylinders will read tank pressure; when the needle dips into the red zone, change tanks using the same procedure.