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Conservers

How to use a conserver

When we breathe we spend most of our time breathing out. When an oxygen cylinder is used with a continuous flow, most of the oxygen is wasted. However, using an oxygen conserver cuts out that waste. A conserver provides a precise amount of oxygen at the best point in the breathing cycle, so only the oxygen you needed.

A conserver is designed to be used with a portable oxygen cylinder so the cylinder lasts up to three times longer, although this will vary depending on the user’s breathing rate and activity.

Caution:
Conservers are not suitable for all patients, including children under six years old.


Connecting a conserver

  1. Put the oxygen cylinder into the carry bag provided and the conserver into the small pocket at the front of the carry bag
  2. Connect one end of the tube to the outlet connector on the cylinder
  3. Connect the other end to the cylinder connection on the conserver where you see the cylinder symbol
  4. Secure the tube with the jubilee clip provided
  5. Connect the cannula tubing to the cannula connection on the side of the conserver where you see the tube symbol

Caution:
Always double check that the tubes are on the right connections of the conserver. Do not allow shortening of the conserver tubing at any time.

Checking a conserver battery

With normal use the conserver battery should last over four weeks. Always recommend that the user checks the battery’s power level before using the conserver:

  1. Move the flow rate wheel (B) at the top of the conserver to the ‘BAT’ position
  2. The battery level (C) light will show how much power is left in the conserver; this is shown by the following colours:

    Green The battery is charged
    Amber The battery’s level has gone down, but there is not need to change it yet
    Red The battery is running low – you should have a spare one handy
    Flashing Red Replace the battery immediately

Note:
The battery level light only shows when the flow rate wheel is in the ‘BAT’ position. If the conserver battery runs low and needs to be changed, the red light will flash on any setting. In this case, oxygen will still be received, but it will not last as long.

Installing the battery

A conserver needs a single 1.5 volt C-size alkaline battery. To install the battery, remove the battery cover (A) and place the battery into the slot.

Caution:
ONLY use alkaline batteries in a conserver, the use of rechargeable batteries is not recommended.

Conserver battery cover:

Setting the oxygen supply

  1. Put the nasal cannula on.
  2. Turn the flow rate wheel (B) on the conserver to the prescribed rate.
  3. Turn the oxygen cylinder on and set it to a flow rate of 4 litres per minute.
  4. Begin breathing through the cannula.

Caution:
A cylinder should always be set to a flow rate of 4 litres per minute for the conserver to work properly. The conserver must be set to the prescribed flow rate.

Turning the supply off

  1. Turn the oxygen supply off by slowly turning the On/Off valve on the cylinder clockwise
  2. Continue to breathe through the nasal cannula until no more oxygen can be felt coming through (this releases the pressure in the tubing)
  3. Take the cannula off
  4. Turn the flow rate wheel on the conserver to the ‘OFF’ position
  5. If the cylinder is used later without the conserver, the user should always remember to set it back to the prescribed flow rate