Liquid Oxygen Safety & Filling

PURPOSE: The purpose of oxygen safety is to prevent any injury or adverse condition from occurring. By using oxygen safely, users can achieve increased oxygenation and this can improve quality of life and independence. Oxygen is not flammable, but it will add much needed fuel to fires and cause them to burn hotter and faster. Always abide by oxygen safety guidelines. If you should have any questions regarding your oxygen safety, please don’t hesitate to call your medical equipment supplier.

SAFETY

• It is mandatory that your residence have a functioning smoke detector.
• Keep all flammable materials away from oxygen source, especially, oil, grease, solvents, creams, lotions, petroleum products, paper, clothes, aerosol containers, and alcohol of any kind. (This includes on your hands or clothes also).
• Always make sure liquid units are always standing upright or held upright and stored in well-ventilated rooms.
• Never touch the liquid oxygen; it is 300 degrees below zero. Touching it will result in burns or frostbite. Do not touch any frosted part of your liquid system.
• If your unit should tip over, immediately pick the unit back up. Remember to never touch the liquid. If any liquid is escaping, evacuate the area and call your medical product supplier immediately.
• If you have a portable unit, do not store it coupled to the stationary unit.
• Absolutely no open flames or smoking within 10 feet of oxygen source or within same room.
• Do not place any oxygen unit within 5 feet of any electrical appliances, especially stoves, heaters, toasters, and hair dryers.
• Always turn units off when not in use.
• Do not use Nylon®, wool, or any synthetic material for clothing or bedding. Cotton is the preferred material.
• Do not try to fix, repair, or lubricate any oxygen device or delivery equipment.
• Keep all tubing and equipment uncovered and tangle-free and stored in an uncluttered and unconfined space.
• Never allow any untrained person or child to touch or manipulate oxygen equipment.

MAINTENANCE: Your medical product supplier performs all maintenance of liquid oxygen equipment. Basic user maintenance pertains to keeping the unit clean and if there is a battery, keeping it charged. The external parts of oxygen equipment must be kept clean and free from oil, grease and dirt. Never utilize any solvent to clean equipment. If anything appears to be wrong with your equipment, call your medical equipment provider immediately.

FILLING PROCEDURE
Your medical equipment provider always fills your stationary unit. This filling procedure is generic and works with most liquid portable units.

• Clean the fittings on both the stationary and portable units with a clean, dry, lint-free cloth. These fittings must be dry, because moisture can cause your units to freeze together.
• Turn the portable unit off, flowrate to zero.
• Position the portable unit in the designated fill area and just above the connector.
• Lower the portable unit on the stationary unit until you feel the connectors engage.
• Press firmly on the top of the portable unit, always keeping it in an upright position.
• While firmly applying pressure to the portable unit, open the portable unit’s vent valve. Your unit will begin filling your portable unit. You should hear some oxygen escaping. This hissing sound you hear is normal and you may also see vapor around the connection, this is also normal.
• When the hissing sound changes in tone, and some liquid starts to come out of the vent line, your unit is full.
• Close the valve.
• After closing the vent, push the portable unit release button until the units separate.
• You may now check the contents of your portable unit.

CAUTION: If your units are frozen together, do not force their separation. Hold the units together until the frost melts and then re-push the release button. Do not touch any frosted parts. Should there be any liquid leakage from your units after separation, immediately reattach your units. Then separate the units again. If the problem persists, leave units coupled and call your medical equipment provider immediately.

EMERGENCIES: Medical equipment supply companies understand that oxygen services should never be interrupted. They maintain a technician on-call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If your equipment fails or your supplies are diminished, call the main store number and leave an urgent message. You should always maintain an adequate supply of oxygen on hand in case of natural disaster or other emergency. Your medical equipment provider will assist you in setting your safety limit.