Pulse oximeters measure the O2 content of blood (saturation). This non-invasive monitor is fastened to a hand, foot, forehead, or earlobe and measures how saturated the hemoglobin is in red blood cells by passing a red light through it.  It's important to note that the light does not create any heat.  The machine then calculates how much of the beam was absorbed by the hemoglobin and translates this information into a digital readout measured as oxygen saturation (SPO2).  Oximeters come in every size and shape.  They are all priced differently depending on their abilities. When choosing an Oximeter keep in mind that every brand is going to have different claims on performance.  Some are very sensitive to patient motion, or low perfusion (Poor Blood Circulation).  Environmental electromechanical interference (EMI) from electronic devices can give you a false reading.  Even nail polish can make a difference in how well the light beam passes through your skin. The less expensive oximeters are going to have more trouble with these factors.  Please keep that in mind when searching for an oximeter, a physician’s prescription is needed to purchase this equipment.

Your oxygen portability  and supply selection should be based on how often you get out of the house.  Those that get out allot may want to think about Liquid oxygen and a Helios system  . Remember liquid evaporates weather you use it or not  . So if you don't get out allot a Concentrator and  cylinders are the way to go . The cylinders don't leak off like liquid does  as long as you don't turn them on they will be there waiting for you .  A physician’s prescription is needed to purchase this equipment.  

Where there is Oxygen the risk of fire is high if you use it  around smoking or an open flame. Oxygen makes small flames burn hot and very quickly . Things that might never burn around oxygen will go up like  lit gun powder . You or others should never smoke around the oxygen. It is best to put a no smoking sign up on the door and do your smoking if you must outside away from the oxygen.

Oxygen Concentrators make oxygen by passing the air in your environment through a sieve bed.  This separates the oxygen from the air and stores it in a small tank inside the machine.  The concentrator will never run out of O2 as long as the machine is turned on, plugged in, and you have power.  They are inexpensive to purchase and inexpensive to run -- only using about the same amount of electricity that a small room air conditioner uses.   While they are fairly heavy [about 30 lb (13.61 kg)], they are placed on wheels so that you can still move well around the house.  A physician’s prescription is needed to purchase this equipment.  

Portable Oxygen Concentrators are great for those leading active lifestyles.  With the introduction of the portable oxygen concentrator you can get around town simply by using a battery.  They are suitable for people on o2 in mobile homes.  Portable oxygen concentrators will also give you the freedom to plug into any power source to recharge.  There will be no need to worry about running out of O2, unlike liquid portables or even cylinders. The downside to portable concentrators is the liter flow is limited to usually below 3 LPM, as well as the cost of purchasing one.  Please make sure the liter flow on the portable oxygen concentrator is adequate for you, before you make a purchase. The portable oxygen concentrator uses pulse dose technology.  Please read the pulse dose section below before buying a pulse dose unit.  You will need to be tested to see if it will work for you before its safe for you to buy. A physician’s prescription is needed to purchase this equipment.

Cylinders  hold pressurized oxygen  and they  come in several different sizes. The largest  cylinders stand about 5 feet tall . The ones used for home portability are around 2 feet tall and can be carried  around  in a bag providing about 3 hours of oxygen at 2 lpm.  There are also  3  1/2 feet tall  tanks that are transported around in what looks like a small  2 wheel golf bag cart that provide 6 hours at 2 lpm.  Of course, the higher  your  liter flow the shorter the time the cylinders  will last.  A physician’s prescription is needed to purchase this equipment.  

Pulse Dose Regulators and Portable Concentrators Using Pulse Dose gives you a dose of oxygen when you take a breath in, rather then letting the o2 run constantly.  This conserves oxygen, allowing you more time away from home.  They greatly extend the amount of time able to receive on a single O2 bottle, from 1 hour at 2 lpm to 6-8 hours at 2lpm.  Each brand of these regulators has its own way of working. Some take batteries and pulse on every other breath depending on the liter flow set. Others do not take batteries and vary the length of the dose depending on the liter flow.  If you have very low Oxygen Saturation more than likely you will not be able to get enough O2 out of either type of these conserving regulators.  We strongly recommend that you are tested on an oxygen Conserving Device and that it is approved by your physician before buying one.  When you decide to purchase one, get the same brand or type that you were tested on.  Test results will vary from one conserving regulator to another.  A physician’s prescription is needed to purchase this equipment.

Liquid Oxygen / Pulse Dose Portables are lighter and can carry more oxygen in a smaller space. They  are convenient to use as long as you use them the day you fill them up.   Liquid oxygen has been super-cooled and placed in an un-refrigerated thermos bottle.  It will continually leak small amounts of oxygen into the air since it is not refrigerated. They tend to leak off even if your not using them .  When filling the portable tank the valve can freeze, and leak liquid oxygen onto your hands.  Therefore it can be more hazardous than other systems.  Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using liquid o2.  A physician’s prescription is needed to purchase this equipment.