By Susan Taplinger
Read time: 3 mins
Portable oxygen concentrators pack some impressive technology into a remarkably small package. Scroll down to test your knowledge — and discover a few surprising facts about oxygen therapy on the go.
Don’t peek until you’ve made your guess!
Question 1 — How light can a portable oxygen concentrator be?
A. Under 5 lb.
B. Around 15 lb.
C. At least 25 lb.
Reveal: Some POCs weigh less than 5 lb.
Some of today’s POCs pack oxygen-concentrating technology into a device weighing less than five pounds. The Resp-O₂™ Portable Oxygen Concentrator, for example, weighs just 4.76 lb. with its standard battery.
Question 2— Which matters more: weight or battery life?
Reveal: There’s no universal answer.
A lighter POC can be easier to carry, while longer battery life can mean more time away from a power source. But portability is only part of the equation: The device also has to meet the user’s prescribed oxygen needs.
Question 3 — True or false: A portable oxygen concentrator carries a supply of oxygen.
Reveal: False.
Unlike a cylinder, a POC doesn’t carry a finite supply of oxygen. Instead, it draws in surrounding air and concentrates the oxygen already in it for delivery to the user.
Question 4 — Does oxygen from a POC flow all the time?
Reveal: Not necessarily.
Some POCs provide oxygen continuously. Others, including the Resp-O₂ POC, use pulse-dose technology, which detects when the user inhales and delivers a measured burst of oxygen with each breath.
Why is that useful? Delivering oxygen only during inhalation can conserve battery power and support a smaller, lighter design.
Question 5 — What happens when a POC runs out of oxygen?
REVEAL: Trick question — it doesn’t.
There’s no stored oxygen supply to deplete. As long as a POC has access to ambient air and sufficient power, it can continue producing oxygen-enriched gas.
Question 6 — Can you use supplemental oxygen on an airplane?
Reveal: It depends on how the oxygen is supplied.
Personal compressed or liquid oxygen isn’t permitted for use aboard U.S. commercial aircraft. But a portable oxygen concentrator that meets FAA requirements can be used in flight because it doesn’t carry or store oxygen, it concentrates oxygen from the surrounding air.
Airline requirements still apply, so travelers need to check with their carrier in advance.
The Resp-O₂ Portable Oxygen Concentrator meets applicable FAA requirements for use aboard aircraft, making it a travel-ready option for prescribed oxygen therapy.
So, What’s the Power of Portability?
It’s not simply about making oxygen equipment smaller. Lightweight design, battery power, and the ability to concentrate oxygen from the surrounding air can make prescribed oxygen easier to take beyond a stationary setup — from everyday activities outside the home to longer-distance travel.
The Resp-O₂™ Portable Oxygen Concentrator brings that portability to a compact, 4.76-lb. device with six pulse-dose settings, rechargeable battery power, AC and DC power options, and FAA compliance.