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Real members of MyCOPDTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Is Anyone Using Portable Oxygen Concentrator For Outings If So Does It Help And Is It As Effective As Liquid Oxygen? What LPM Do You Use?

A MyCOPDTeam Member asked a question 💭
North Adams, MA
August 21, 2015
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A MyCOPDTeam Member

I just purchased an Inogen portable concentrator. I really like it. It is lighter than the liquid oxygen, so I can carry it myself.

August 21, 2015
A MyCOPDTeam Member

I do use a POC. You need to understand that POCs aren't like concentrators. They don't all produce the same amount of O2, and none of the except the big heavy ones produce continuous flow. The light ones are all pulse. The numbers don't mean anything except what the manufacturer decides it means. So a setting of 2 on one machine could be completely different from a setting of 2 on another machine. Here are some good sites that will give you good information:
Excellent webinar by Bob McCoy on delivery systems, titrating, and all things O2
https://lungassoc.adobeconnect.com/_a1091289059...

AARC’s analysis of Portable O2 Concentrators
http://www.aarc.org/resources/oxygen_resources/...

Brian Tiep on oximeter usage by patients
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEhBIpGF7k4

Ryan Diesem’s analysis of POC’s
http://www.oxygenconcentratorstore.com/what-por...

You really need to look at the video and the webinar and the read the material on the other two sites. Then, find a good DME who handles several different brands of POCs and see if you can't borrow the ones you're interested in to see if they really will keep you saturated for the things you want to do. Many of them can't, so be sure you look carefully and try before you buy.

August 21, 2015
A MyCOPDTeam Member

I like my portable concentrator better than the liquid oxygen. I use 2 liter when at rest and 4 liter when exercising or walking.

August 21, 2015
A MyCOPDTeam Member

Debbie, there isn't a POC available that produces 4 lpm. I'm sure your POC has settings of 2 and 4, but that's not lpm; it's whatever the manufacturer set the machine to produce at those levels. Depending on the machine, you could be getting as little as less than 1 lpm per minute. Please take a look at some of the information I posted. Get an oximeter to be sure you're staying saturated.

As for the LOX question, I use LOX with a SmartDose unit. The SmartDose, either the small or the large one, is much lighter than my POC, which is an Inogen with 24 volt batteries. I bought it for flying and it works great for that, including overseas trips. I can also sleep with it if necessary, though a concentrator or LOX continuous flow is generally better for sleep.

August 23, 2015
A MyCOPDTeam Member

@A MyCOPDTeam Member great information. Mine is a heavy one, I have a two wheel cart for mine. I use it when I go to therapy and also in the car while driving. They are quit expensive.

August 22, 2015

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