If you or someone you know suffers from asthma, COPD, or another respiratory disease, you most likely know the importance of oxygen concentrators. For these patients, access to their portable concentrator is a necessity. Power outages can interfere with the use of the machines. Thus, when there are natural catastrophes, such as Superstorm Sandy, there is reason for concern. Not only did this October 2012 storm cause widespread damage and flooding, it also was the cause of power outages. Tragically, these outages can be life-ending for those who rely on electric concentrators, as was the case for a Manhattan woman who was found dead one day after Superstorm Sandy struck New York City.
In the week that followed the storm, residents from the Mid-Atlantic region through New England were working to return their lives to normalcy. For patients of respiratory diseases, not only did they have concerns about water, heat, and shelter, they also had concerns about their oxygen supplies. According to reports, both the American Red Cross and local first responders stated that many residents needed hospitalization as their oxygen supplies were running out.
If you are ordered to have oxygen therapy by your doctor, most likely you will look at electric oxygen concentrators. As they are affordable and user-friendly, they are a first choice for many. Additionally, they don’t run out of oxygen, as they have more supplies.
Unfortunately, these traditional portable oxygen tanks can’t be operated without power. Patients who were in the path of Superstorm Sandy have learned just have devastating this can be. Without power, their oxygen concentrator usage is pointless. Although a generator would enable electric oxygen concentrators to work, the reality is that most people don’t own generators. With no power and no oxygen concentrator, these patients try to go without oxygen, which can be a fatal mistake.
Fortunately, there are several things that can be done to make sure that you have access to oxygen when a natural disaster affects your area and eliminates the electricity in your region. First, a secondary oxygen supply is an option. This may be something that your doctor has suggested but you skipped in order to save money. Having seen the result of no access to oxygen, it may be a good time to purchase that secondary supply.
Second, you should have an action plan in place. Simply having a secondary supply of oxygen may not be enough to survive the effects of a natural disaster. Be certain that you always have enough batteries on hand to operate the unit. Don’t have just enough batteries to run the unit, have extra batteries in case you don’t have electricity for several days or a week. Having oxygen is a matter of life or death; keep a good supply of batteries.
Finally, determine when it is time to seek emergency medical help. Waiting a little bit longer or wanting to wait out the power outage is a deadly mistake. If you do run completely out of oxygen, call 911 immediately.
Brought to you by our friends at American Medical.
Tweet This Post