OXYGEN EQUIPMENT CLEANING
and CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Cleaning Instructions:
Daily:
 Humidifier Only - Pour out old water and replace with fresh DISTILLED water, do not recycle.
Twice Weekly:
 Humidifier Only - wash lid and jar in soap and water and rinse well.
 Soak the washed parts in a solution of 1 part white vinegar and 1 part water for 30 minutes
(½ water, ½ vinegar, ½ hour). Rinse well with running water and refill with distilled water.
 Be sure to screw the lid onto the jar correctly so that the oxygen will not leak out.
 Be sure to always have an extra clean jar on hand.
Weekly:
 Concentrator - Wash the sponge dust filters on the concentrator under running water. Squeeze dry in a
towel until you cannot feel any moisture in the sponge. Replace on the concentrator.
 Wipe down the outside of the concentrator with a dust cloth. Do not use furniture polish on the
concentrator!
 Liquid Oxygen - Empty the condensation collection bottle.
Every 2 Weeks:
 Replace the nasal cannula (nose piece). The nasal cannula can be cleaned between changes by washing
with soapy water and rinsing. Any water that gets in the tubing can be removed by hooking it up to the
oxygen and blowing it out.
Every 3 Months:
 Replace the long supply tubing.
Troubleshooting Concentrators:
**Put yourself onto your portable or back up oxygen system, then**
Concentrator:
No oxygen is coming out of the nose piece:
1) Place the nose piece into a cup of water to see if bubbles are coming out. If there are bubbles, and you
feel you are not getting enough oxygen, stay on your back up tank, and then call our office.
2) If there are no bubbles coming out of the nose piece, check to make sure the concentrator is turned on
and plugged in. Check to make sure all of the tubing connections are secure. Check to make sure the
humidifier jar (if being used) is screwed onto the lid correctly. If there is still not any oxygen coming
out of the nose piece, then connect your tubing to your back up tank and call our office.
Cannot adjust the flow:
1) Disconnect the tubing from your concentrator, if the ball moves or goes up more than ½ lpm, then there
is a constriction in the tubing or a blockage in the humidifier jar. Replace one at a time and reattach the
tubing to the concentrator and see if you can now adjust the flow.
Concentrator is alarming:
1) If the white button is popped out, turn off the concentrator, push in the white button and turn it back on.
2) If the power is on, turn off the concentrator and try to plug it into an outlet that had a lamp plugged into
it that turns on. If you can then turn on the concentrator, there is something wrong with the other plug.
3) If there is power and it is still alarming, then unplug the tubing to see if the liter flow is set correctly and
the alarm stops.
>>> If you have any questions or concerns, please call and speak to one of our
Customer Care Representatives at 1-800-420-0202
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OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
 Do not use an electric razor to shave while wearing your Oxygen, you could be burned.
 Do not put any petroleum-based product (Vicks, Vaseline, etc.) on your face or in your nose while
wearing Oxygen, you could be burned.
 Post your No Smoking – Oxygen in Use Signs on your front and back doors. These are mainly for the
Fire Department to alert them that there is Oxygen in the home. These also alert visitors that they
should not smoke in your home.
 Plug the concentrator directly into the wall; do not use an extension cord. Extension cords can make the
concentrator not run correctly and can cause fires.
 Do not plug the concentrator into an outlet with other equipment that draws a lot of power. You will
blow the circuit. (For example, the concentrator should not be plugged into the same outlet or be on the
same circuit as a window air conditioner, refrigerator, compressor, etc.)
 If the placement of the concentrator is where an outlet is not available, you may plug the concentrator
into a strip plug with a circuit breaker or fuse. Extension cords are not to be used.
 The location of the concentrator must be at least 6 feet away from any heat source, to prevent any risk of
fire.
 The concentrator must have at least 1 foot of open space on all sides so that it may operate properly and
produce oxygen.
 Do not move the concentrator with the humidifier bottle attached to it. You may get water in the
concentrator which could result in failure of the equipment or an explosion.
 Do not cover the concentrator with any cloth or other item as it may cause it to overheat.
 Moving your concentrator – The concentrator always needs to be upright and secure. It can never lay on
its back or sides, it will break. (A portable concentrator may lie on its back because it is designed to go
under an airplane seat.)
When your physician wants you to wear oxygen all the time or with exertion
(moving, walking, bathing, etc.):
 You may not realize that it is not only safe, but recommended to wear your oxygen during bathing,
dressing and cooking/working in the kitchen. Wearing your oxygen will give you more stamina and
better endurance. You will not get so tired when you wear your oxygen as ordered by your physician.
You will also be able to think more clearly.
 You can wear your oxygen while cooking. It is safe as long as you keep the tubing away from the heat.
You can put on your cannula so that the tubing comes down your back. Use an apron or belt to gently
secure the tubing so that it stays on your back, and keep it away from the heat.
Troubleshooting Cylinders and Liquid Oxygen:
Cylinder:
1) Check that the cylinder valve is fully opened (1 full turn) and there is a pressure registered on the gauge.
2) Check that the flow is set correctly.
3) Check that the tubing is securely connected and not crimped or pinched.
Liquid Oxygen:
If you are using liquid oxygen, follow the above steps; make sure that your correct liter flow setting is
“clicked” into place.
>>> If you have any questions or concerns, please call and speak to one of our
Customer Care Representatives at 1-800-420-0202
11/18/10alG:\MHM Forms\Equipment Cleaning Instructions\Oxygen Cleaning Instructions rev7-18-12.doc