oxygen in the car

threemonkeys · May 2, 2008

So, I did a search here as well as a Google search and have not been able to find anything. My 5 month old son was just put on Oxygen Yesterday. He has to have when he is in the car seat as well as when he is sleeping. We took a trip in the car today and I realized that the oxygen tank is a dangerous projectile. We are going on a three hour trip and I would like to find a way to secure it. The RT recommended putting in on the cylinder on the floor and putting something around it so the top does not get knocked off but that is not safe enough for me. I am more worried about it flying through the car if we were to get into an accident. We have three kids all in seats. We normally drive a Ford Expidition with a three accross middle row set up. I can move the one of the car seats to the third row and use the seat belt to secure the bag to the car but tomorrow we have to take the Focus and there are only three seats in the back so no open seat belt. Any advice would be great. I am a nervous wreck as the reason we are taking this trip is because we had a family member pass away form a car accident last week.
TIA

Shaunam · May 2, 2008

We have the same issue and I'm still trying to figure it out. We also have a feeding pump/bag, a suction machine, and a pulse-ox. I have no extra seat belts so I can't just buckle the stuff in. I can hook the feeding bag to the front seat. The rest of the stuff I put behind DD's seat and hope for the best. Once we get a new car (it was supposed to happen months ago...grr...) I will figure out a way to strap everything in, but right now I just don't have any other options.

threemonkeys · May 2, 2008

Shaunam said:
We have the same issue and I'm still trying to figure it out. We also have a feeding pump/bag, a suction machine, and a pulse-ox. I have no extra seat belts so I can't just buckle the stuff in. I can hook the feeding bag to the front seat. The rest of the stuff I put behind DD's seat and hope for the best. Once we get a new car (it was supposed to happen months ago...grr...) I will figure out a way to strap everything in, but right now I just don't have any other options.

I am sorry that you have all that stuff to deal with. That has to be tough. I hope you get the new car soon! Thank you for the reply and have a good weekend.

firemomof3 · May 2, 2008

I would recommend calling and talking with your local fire department. They have all sorts of equipment in the ambulance that is secured and I'm sure if you bring your car in and show them they would have some suggestions for you.

njkj · May 2, 2008

what about using industrial strength Velcro and attaching it to the floor?

that is all I can think of.

strollerfreak · May 2, 2008

In my special needs training class we covered this, and we were instructed to try and fit the cylinder under the seat in front of the child...so if the child is riding in the rear passenger position, then the cylinder should go under the front passenger seat if possible.

Other than that they just recommended that you try and secure it as best as you can and obviously protect the valve so that it doesn't get knocked around.

It's one of those grey areas where we as tech's can *recommend* ideas, but it's up to the parent to decide how/what to do based on their specific vehicle.

CandCfam · May 2, 2008

Is there anyway you could get the battery powered machine instead of the cylinder? That might be a little easier to secure more safely.

Shaunam · May 2, 2008

CandCfam said:
Is there anyway you could get the battery powered machine instead of the cylinder? That might be a little easier to secure more safely.

Our smaller tank comes in a nifty little carrying bag. Once we have the extra seatbelts, I'll be able to strap everything in, no problem. I don't think our supplier has anything battery operated.

The Bjorns · May 2, 2008

I don't know what size your talking about here, but I had a thought. What about either a soft sided cooler (styrofoam maybe?) or even some kind of tote (even something a la Rubbermaid might work) that you can put the cylinder in and then secure with bungee type cords? Or can you stuff the cylinder under the front seat and secure with cording?

Good luck! I'm so sorry you're going through all this.

Melanie · May 2, 2008

I'm wondering if you could get some nylon webbing, like the stuff large dog leashes are made out of. Wrap it around and tie it to the cylinder then you could put the cylinder on the floor and attach it to a seat post or something. Maybe put on a sturdy lanyard hook to unhook it easily.

OR - Is it big enough to use one of those ratcheting straps and attach it to a tie down. Kind of like you could do with a stroller.

Just trying to brainstorm....

southpawboston · May 2, 2008

how thick and long is the oxygen tubing coming out of the cap? in your focus, can you place the cylinder in the trunk and have the tubing come out through the crack of the fold-down rear seats? that would solve the projectile problem for the focus. for the expedition, i would use some ratcheting tie-down straps and wrap them around the seat legs to secure the cylinder to the floor.

ffpmcps · May 2, 2008

I am a paramedic and this is similar to the sleeves we use in the ambulance. http://www.buyemp.com/product/1070202.html (if you click on the pic you can enlarge it). It really isn't padded, but it has the large velcro straps. We strap it onto the side or end of the cot. Not sure how your car is set up if you could think of anywhere to anchor it. Could you possibly get a small strap of some kind and put it through the handle on the sleeve and then the bracing of the front seat (where you would use to tether a Britax for ex.). Are you secureing you CS with latch or the seatbelt? If you are securing it with latch could you put the seatbelt through the oxygen sleeve and buckle it, then secure the CS with latch. if you kept the sleeve off to the side on the outside of the buckle it shouldn't interfere. You could then leave the sleeve in the car at all times and just slip the tank you are using into the sleeve when you leave. Then you wouldn't have to undo it and the seat each time. Hope that made sense as I tried to explain it

Andrea

threemonkeys · May 3, 2008

I want to thank you guys for all the advice. It does come in a bag and I can secure it in the Expidition with the seat belt. I just had to move one of our car seats to the back to leave an open seat belt. The thing I was more worried about was our trip tomorrow in the Focus because it only has three seats in the back and they all will be occupied. I think I am going to try and strap the bag like you would a refacing tether and wedge it under the seat. I am going to look into a more permanent set up for the car when we get home. Thank you for all the ideas I am sure one of them will work. I am so glad that I found this website.

threemonkeys · May 3, 2008

southpawboston said:
how thick and long is the oxygen tubing coming out of the cap? in your focus, can you place the cylinder in the trunk and have the tubing come out through the crack of the fold-down rear seats? that would solve the projectile problem for the focus. for the expedition, i would use some ratcheting tie-down straps and wrap them around the seat legs to secure the cylinder to the floor.

I just now caught this reply...it has been a long night. I never thought about putting in in the Trunk. I think that would work the best. The tube is extremely long so we should not have a problem. I feel much safer having it in there is case something were to happen. Thank you.

Mommypooh · May 3, 2008

I just thought if you had a convertable seat you could attach it through the forward facing belt path that way it is behind the seat and attached to the seat. Not sure it it would work but just an idea.

remken · May 3, 2008

I used to worry about this when I had to take my mom to the docs. before she passed and the lady who I help out since she's on oxygen also and insists on taking at least 3 tanks with her. I only usually have to take her somewhere twice a yr. usually though and at least she's not trying to smoke with me around while she's on the oxygen anymore.

beeman · May 3, 2008

I agree with SPB too much

. Strapping it down secure would be sufficient, however make sure that it is pointed so that if the valve were to come off, it would go away from all passengers (in your vehicle anyways). If you want to get into the technical side of dangerous goods (compressed gases are dangerous goods), the cylinder should be fastened upright with the valve at the top. If it is not possible to fasten upright, it still should be secured so it can not move anywhere.

southpawboston · May 5, 2008

beeman said:
I agree with SPB too much .

well at least SOMEONE does!!

oxygen in the car

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