Can you use a Portable Oxygen System with a CPAP?

By Clay Rollyson
We have quite a few customers that use oxygen in addition to their CPAP or BiPAP. Many of them over the years have asked us if they can use their Portable Oxygen System with the CPAP. The answer is yes, and no, and the answer depends completely on what Oxygen System you are using. So, let’s take a deeper dive.

What type of Oxygen Systems will not work with CPAP?

This predicament seems mostly to be surrounded by the complication of traveling with CPAP and Oxygen together. That is because most people using this combination have a very large Home Oxygen Concentrator that connects to their CPAP at night. That is a very difficult thing to transport for sure. Many customers have tried to use their Portable Oxygen System while traveling only to have significant issue. So, why don’t the portable systems work.

Why don’t Portable Oxygen Systems work with CPAP?

Almost all of the Portable Oxygen Concentrators or tanks work in a Pulse Dose or Pneumatic fashion. This means that they will only dose the oxygen as they sense the person breathing. This allows a very small system to generate enough oxygen without having to waste any. Because of this it is not capable of delivering enough oxygen to bleed into the CPAP. In fact, most will not work at all. If it is a Portable Oxygen Concentrator, it will probably start alarming. So, what can you use?

What type of Oxygen Systems will work with CPAP?

If you have been prescribed both Oxygen and CPAP or BiPAP therapy, then probably have the large Oxygen Machine connected to the CPAP on your nightstand. The Home Concentrators are designed to provide continuous flow of up to 5 liters per minute of oxygen (for most models). This is a great option for bleeding in the Oxygen to the CPAP device. However, it stinks for travel. Which leaves you wondering if there is a way to use a smaller option for Oxygen.

What type of Portable Oxygen Systems will work with CPAP?

While almost all of the really small “over-the-shoulder” Oxygen Systems will not work with CPAP, there are still options. The catch is that your Portable Oxygen system must have a Continuous flow setting. There are only a few that do, and they are usually a bit larger. However, they are not nearly as big as the Home Oxygen Concentrator. They range in size from about 9 pounds to about 20. Usually, they are designed to be transported and are on carts or carry cases. With one of these options, you can switch to the Continuous flow setting when you get settled and connect it to your CPAP.

Which Portable Oxygen Models work with CPAP?

There are a few options that work very well with CPAP. As stated above, they will have to have continuous flow settings. Additionally, you will want to be sure that the settings are high enough to suffice whatever liter flow setting you have been prescribed. Below is a list of models that will work for you:

Portable Oxygen Model Options for CPAP: