Things have changer over the past month my Partner has been diagnosed with a rare disorder, that requires her to be on oxygen for 18hrs a day, it took an Intern at a small hospital in the Whitsundays to diagnose the problem.
Next week she gets to see a specialist in regards to her condition and then we will have a greater understanding of this problem and its ramifications, including treatment.
The above is the preamble to dealing with full time oxygen needs in a caravan.
When we were first told that Cheryle will require oxygen 18 hours a day, immeadiatly I thought it was to be oxygen bottles, but no there is a machine called an Oxygen Concentrator that take fresh air cleans it, filters out all the components of air to deliver pure oxygen through a canula to her.
Initally we set the unit inside the van under the dining table whilst it worked fine there the noise and heat generated was uncomfortable, so we have made a dust proof enclosure so the concentrator and placed that outside in the annex, drilled a hole through the wall of the van for the oxygen hose.
We also have on a standby order a Portable Oxygen Concentrator, that weighs a little over 3kg it runs off a lithium battery or 12v power. The order will be confirmed after consulting the specialist.
As a side note we will be looking into wether her condition qualifies her for disabled parking as she cannot walk very far before needing to stop an catch her breath.
This not about sympthy for Cheryle as the far more people in a worse off condition than her.
Whenarewethere said
05:48 PM Jan 14, 2021
I had a parent on an oxygen concentrator, they are noisy especially at night. Actually the other parent as well for a short time.
Whitworths Marine sell engine bay acoustic insulation. Line the box with it.
Near the bottom of this thread there is a photo of the 25mm foam leaning against the back of the car.
The permit is able to be used in every State and Territory of Australia.
Whenarewethere said
05:54 PM Jan 14, 2021
Remember to clean the intake filter regularly.
Possum3 said
07:47 PM Jan 14, 2021
On a note of Safety ; Concentrated Oxygen in confined spaces (caravan) particularly when near gas appliances (Fridge, oven, waterheater) can have catastrophic consequences.
Bill B said
10:32 PM Jan 14, 2021
Graham my partner has been on oxygen since July 2017.
You say that you have put the concentrator in a dust free enclosure, you need to ensure that it is well ventilated so that it doesn't overheat as this will cause it to malfunction.
It also needs to be able to draw fresh air in, to work effectively.
I have sent you a private message with further info.
oldbloke said
10:45 PM Jan 14, 2021
Possum3 wrote:
On a note of Safety ; Concentrated Oxygen in confined spaces (caravan) particularly when near gas appliances (Fridge, oven, waterheater) can have catastrophic consequences.
An excellent point possum3. (some US astronauts were killed in an oxygen fire back in the 60s) But if a window is always ajar or a roof vent cracked and the door vent is not covered there should be enough natural ventilation and it will be fine.
Decent ventilation is usually the key to atmospheric contaminants in small spaces. And often you don't need a he'll of a lot.
Mobi Condo said
08:42 AM Jan 15, 2021
Hey Gundog, more power to your arm and Cheryl's too! What brave, adventurous folks you are.
Can feel a bit of empathy for you both here, as my wife Sally has been diagnosed with Bronchiectasis, back at the start of CO-VID, March 2020.
What a shemozzle with the GP's, as Sally now has 3 Auto-immune genetically donated conditions now and so is very vulnerable to COVID, but the GP's will not let her into the Surgery waiting room because she may cough due to her Bronchiectasis and then they may be sued by other patients waiting, so Sally has to have consults out in the car, OR GET THIS - in the infectious diseases pod where they send folks to be tested for COVID!!!!!
Nuff of this - I really want to say that your GP from our experience should initiate the Disability Parking "thingo" for Cheryl. Sally has one now as walking to far or up inclines can send her into quite violent coughing fits and then the looks she gets from the fit young fashion plate "things" is quite the worst!
Keep on doing your caravanning thing as long as you can and we hope you get a successful set up.
The permit is able to be used in every State and Territory of Australia.
Although the parking permit is applicable in every state, the rules are different in each state (how unusual). None of the states allow you to park in restricted zone (No Standing, Clearway etc zone) while some states allow you to park for free as long as the permit is displayed. Most permits allow you to double the time limit when parking. Check each state you intend to visit to verify the parking regulations - the parking police are not always sympathetic to visitors.
Tony Bev said
04:53 PM Jan 15, 2021
Hi Gundog
My dear old mother in law, nearly 97 years young, with not one mean bone in her body
Has a (240 volt) oxygen making machine, which she uses at night time, when she is sleeping
Yes they are noisy, but as it is a continuous background noise, she has now got use to it
The machine is owned by the authorities, (not sure who), and they maintain it yearly, filters/calibration etc
I am not sure that having this type of machine outside, is a good thing
If the noise in too much inside the caravan, you could always try ear plugs, which was suggested to my mother in law
Things have changer over the past month my Partner has been diagnosed with a rare disorder, that requires her to be on oxygen for 18hrs a day, it took an Intern at a small hospital in the Whitsundays to diagnose the problem.
Next week she gets to see a specialist in regards to her condition and then we will have a greater understanding of this problem and its ramifications, including treatment.
The above is the preamble to dealing with full time oxygen needs in a caravan.
When we were first told that Cheryle will require oxygen 18 hours a day, immeadiatly I thought it was to be oxygen bottles, but no there is a machine called an Oxygen Concentrator that take fresh air cleans it, filters out all the components of air to deliver pure oxygen through a canula to her.
Initally we set the unit inside the van under the dining table whilst it worked fine there the noise and heat generated was uncomfortable, so we have made a dust proof enclosure so the concentrator and placed that outside in the annex, drilled a hole through the wall of the van for the oxygen hose.
We also have on a standby order a Portable Oxygen Concentrator, that weighs a little over 3kg it runs off a lithium battery or 12v power. The order will be confirmed after consulting the specialist.
As a side note we will be looking into wether her condition qualifies her for disabled parking as she cannot walk very far before needing to stop an catch her breath.
This not about sympthy for Cheryle as the far more people in a worse off condition than her.
I had a parent on an oxygen concentrator, they are noisy especially at night. Actually the other parent as well for a short time.
Whitworths Marine sell engine bay acoustic insulation. Line the box with it.
Near the bottom of this thread there is a photo of the 25mm foam leaning against the back of the car.
https://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t65443581/car-acoustic-insulation/
The permit is able to be used in every State and Territory of Australia.
Remember to clean the intake filter regularly.
You say that you have put the concentrator in a dust free enclosure, you need to ensure that it is well ventilated so that it doesn't overheat as this will cause it to malfunction.
It also needs to be able to draw fresh air in, to work effectively.
I have sent you a private message with further info.
An excellent point possum3. (some US astronauts were killed in an oxygen fire back in the 60s) But if a window is always ajar or a roof vent cracked and the door vent is not covered there should be enough natural ventilation and it will be fine.
Decent ventilation is usually the key to atmospheric contaminants in small spaces. And often you don't need a he'll of a lot.
Can feel a bit of empathy for you both here, as my wife Sally has been diagnosed with Bronchiectasis, back at the start of CO-VID, March 2020.
What a shemozzle with the GP's, as Sally now has 3 Auto-immune genetically donated conditions now and so is very vulnerable to COVID, but the GP's will not let her into the Surgery waiting room because she may cough due to her Bronchiectasis and then they may be sued by other patients waiting, so Sally has to have consults out in the car, OR GET THIS - in the infectious diseases pod where they send folks to be tested for COVID!!!!!
Nuff of this - I really want to say that your GP from our experience should initiate the Disability Parking "thingo" for Cheryl. Sally has one now as walking to far or up inclines can send her into quite violent coughing fits and then the looks she gets from the fit young fashion plate "things" is quite the worst!
Keep on doing your caravanning thing as long as you can and we hope you get a successful set up.
Although the parking permit is applicable in every state, the rules are different in each state (how unusual). None of the states allow you to park in restricted zone (No Standing, Clearway etc zone) while some states allow you to park for free as long as the permit is displayed. Most permits allow you to double the time limit when parking. Check each state you intend to visit to verify the parking regulations - the parking police are not always sympathetic to visitors.
My dear old mother in law, nearly 97 years young, with not one mean bone in her body
Has a (240 volt) oxygen making machine, which she uses at night time, when she is sleeping
Yes they are noisy, but as it is a continuous background noise, she has now got use to it
The machine is owned by the authorities, (not sure who), and they maintain it yearly, filters/calibration etc
I am not sure that having this type of machine outside, is a good thing
If the noise in too much inside the caravan, you could always try ear plugs, which was suggested to my mother in law