For many people, supplemental oxygen can be a way of life. And for a lot of them portable oxygen concentrators make their lives much easier. There are several reasons this is happening; an aging population, years of smoking, as well as just simple pollution. If you reside in a large metropolis you appreciate how challenging it can be to just get a big breath of fresh air. The consequence is more lung problems. Without excellent oxygen equipment lots of people would battle to breathe every day. But health care isn't the only field where portable oxygen concentrators are needed.
For instance if you're exceptionally active and do large amounts of running, there are occasions when a portable oxygen concentrator is a good idea. And used machines can be found for those times when insurance simply won't cover the cost. But before buying, there are several things that you need to know.
You can get an effective portable oxygen concentrator for $3000-6000. Not many people knew about these even a few years back. But nowadays there are approximately nine different models to select from.
Before You Purchase Consider How Much It Has Been Used
Used portable oxygen concentrators need to be checked for a few factors like the number of hours they have been used before. The compressor is an important feature in oxygen equipment and they do not always last as long as you would wish on a portable unit. Compressors on portable units may only last for between 6000 and 10,000 hours. Much less than the compressor on a home machine that will last for around 30,000 hours.
Where Can Your Purchase A Portable Oxygen Concentrator?
You can nearly always stumble on low use units for sale on Google and Craigslist. Second-hand units can also be bought from respiratory companies if you detest the concept of buying from an individual.
Do You Need Some Accessories?
It is important to check if all the accessories are present when you are making the purchase. Travel units for instance have an AC/DC power supply, a travel cart as well as a battery. Make sure that all are included. Carry cases are also included with some models.
Of course you will need to make certain it is functioning properly before you purchase so you should turn the unit on. It is easy to tell when a portable oxygen concentrator just isn't working properly. Just check out the display on the unit, it should display an error message if anything is not right.
Warranty
This is something you might want to definitely check carefully. Generally it's not a good idea to purchase a second hand portable oxygen concentrator if the guarantee has expired. In the majority of instances, you can get the machine verified by the authorized seller and he will tell you if any warranty is left or not.
A warranty is a safety net that you should really try to obtain. You may not need it, but when you are spending thousands of dollars on a unit it's definitely a good idea to ensure it is there just in case.
If your insurance will not cover the cost, it is definitely well worth it to go for a used portable oxygen concentrator. Just be sure you perform a little research before you make your purchase.