Tubing

By buddyfoxy

1 min read

I have written about this before, but now l have a problem with it. I started using my walker with the big oxygen in my basket, in my apartment to get around, and having no tubing to trip over and get tangled up in. It's so far great for me. The problem is, l questioned my oxygen provider I felt the 7ft tubing was getting to me quicker than the 25ft tubing from the plug in concentrator, the oxygen l mean. Because l am using about between 10 to 15 big oxygen per week. It gets me moving more and getting more chores done because I am not tripping over tubing. Now I use the plug-in one, sitting and sleeping. The problem for my provider of oxygen is, the government. Oxygen is classified as a drug, they have rules, you are only supposed to use the big oxygen when you go out not use them at home. Well I found a solution that works for me so I do use them at home. I am going to see Terry Armstrong the MPP to see what l can do? Probably nothing, but I am going to try! Wish me luck. Thank you.

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Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
<inline-mention username="buddyfoxy" user-id="2424437"/> Hi buddy, and thanks for your post. I hear you! The sensation of receiving the oxygen 'more slowly' when using lengthy tubing is a common comment I hear from many patients who use supplemental oxygen at home. The science of it does not support the sensation. Think about it - if 4 lpm is entering the tubing from the oxygen cylinder and flow meter and, there are no leaks at the connections, then 4 lpm must be exiting the tubing at the patient's end. (It's similar to water in a hose!). However, even though the science says one thing, I never discount what a patient's own sensation is and try to make whatever accommodation is necessary. I will wish you 'good luck' in your endeavor to reach out to the person you are. Forgive me, but I am not familiar with the name Terry Armstrong or the acronym MPP. Perhaps you will provide a further explanation of what it is you are trying to accomplish. Thanks so much - that would be appreciated by me. All the best, Leon (site moderator <a href='https://copd.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>)
buddyfoxy Member
Leon Lebowitz BA,RRT
buddyfoxy Member
Leon, where are you located? I live in Ontario Canada. That's why l have an MPP, member of parliament who is supposed to help me. It's a lady. Thank you. 
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 <inline-mention username="buddyfoxy" user-id="2424437"/> Hi Buddy - I am in the United States, southwestern Long Island! Thanks so much for the explanation - I understand your post much more clearly now. Again, good luck, as you move forward with this. Leon (site moderator <a href='https://copd.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>)
buddyfoxy Member
Leon Lebowitz
Jackie English Moderator & Contributor
Hi <inline-mention username="buddyfoxy" user-id="2424437"/> ! I am happy to hear that you found something that works best for you to get around and get things done, but sorry to hear about the regulations. I hope you get help with finding a solution for this. Best, Jackie (Moderator) 
1. buddyfoxy Member
 <inline-mention username="Jackie English" user-id="2415342"/> 
2. buddyfoxy Member
 <inline-mention username="buddyfoxy" user-id="2424437"/> @
kloker Member
That sensation is correct, and so is the science when correctly applied, to make a short story long. I am currently using about 40' of hose with my home concentrator. That consists of a 12" hose coming out of my bubbler, then a connector, then a 7' hose, then another connector, and then a 25' hose, then another connector, then my 7' cannula. The hoses are not an issue, but the connectors are. Here is the thing my respiratory therapist explained to me: Each time the oxygen, under pressure (mine runs at 3 lpm) runs into a connector and then out again, into the next hose, the pressure is lowered. This is caused by the venturi principle. If you take one of your connectors (it doesn't matter what kind as they are all made the same, whether swivel or fixed) and look closely at it, comparing the holes in the two ends (this is easier with two connectors, you will see that there is an "in" end and an "out" end on each connector. The "in" end is larger in diameter, and you always need to make sure to install them in the correct direction of air travel. This puts the large end closest to the 02 source, and the small end flowing away from it towards you. What that venturi principle does is that it causes a pressure drop each time the gas is forced to flow through the restriction of the small end of each connector. So, by the time my oxygen reaches my nose, it is no longer even close to the 3 lpm it was coming out of the concentrator. In fact, my guy says the way I have it set up now means it is flowing at less than 2 lpm into my nose. I'm not losing 02 volume, just pressure, at my end. How can I fix this? After doing a little cackle-atin' I have come up with a new plan which I am about to implement that should make it better. I'm going to eliminate the 12" hose and connect a 50' hose directly to my bubbler at the concentrator, followed by one connector, then my 7' cannula. This will actually give me 57' of hose length, but with only two connectors. This will eliminate one connector and so one point of pressure drop. So, I'll have a longer leash, but better pressure. Beauty, eh? The only holdup is that I am waiting on a fresh 100' roll of 3/8" wire loom that I use to cover the hose for cat-proofing. I will then have better pressure, yet be able to go to the front door and the thermostat in the hall without having to leave my hose in the kitchen and make a mad dash. And I will no longer have to use an extra 25' hose for trips further away in the house. Mostly. Though it is 80' from my master bathroom to my brother's room. But it means I will be able to go almost everywhere else in the house with more pressure, without having to turn it up. The main point to all this is that hose length doesn't so much limit the pressure that reaches your nose. It's the number of connectors. Is this all totally scientifical and accurate? I don't know, but it seems to work so far.