Cold Weather and Medical Equipment

With the winter months upon us, it is important to understand how to care for your portable oxygen concentrator (POC) and oxygen conserving regulator during cold weather. Being outside in the cold for too long is not only bad for you but is harmful for medical equipment as well. We put together recommendations in order to save you the trouble of having to call your medical equipment providers.

Oxygen Conserving Regulator Recommendations

1. Make sure that the initial set up is done at a temperature well above the freezing mark, preferably at room temperature.

2. Place oxygen conserving regulators in a warm setting to ensure they are ready before use.

3. Remember to use the oxygen conserver at temperatures above 35°F whenever possible.

4. When the tank is not in use, make sure to turn the cylinder off. This will ensure that oxygen does not leak out and provide dependable tank usage time.

Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC) Recommendations

1. Warm up your device before turning it on, by placing it in a warm room. Once the device is warmed, it will work properly.

2. Portable Oxygen Concentrators do not do well in weather below 41°F for too long, try to limit your time outside during the cold Winter months.

3. Make sure your filters are clean and you turn off device when you are not using it. This is a good rule of thumb for any time of the year.

Know Your Equipment

It is important to understand your equipment, the specifications, and proper operating temperature ranges. The more knowledge you have of your device, the less chances you have to harm it. Compressor driven machinery can be very sensitive to cold temperatures causing them not to operate properly or stop working all together if not properly cared for.