In this day and age, convenience and reliability are everything. With how busy the average American is in their day-to-day life, most of us expect things like our phones, vehicles, and medical equipment to work as they’re intended all the time. By doing so, we’re able to enjoy the freedom to go where we want and do the things we set out to do without anything standing in our way.

But if you have COPD, cystic fibrosis, or one of any number of respiratory illnesses, you know that there’s one additional obstacle standing between you and freedom — your oxygen needs. When your needs are met, you’re able to enjoy your life and accomplish everything you set out to do. However, if they aren’t met, you could be left with a lot of wasted time and effort.

Last year, oxygen patients were fortunate enough to be introduced to one of the most convenient and reliable portable oxygen concentrators ever produced — the Inogen One G5. This new unit provides the highest oxygen output of any pulse flow oxygen concentrator on the market meaning that more oxygen patients than ever before are able to experience true freedom.

But when you purchase an Inogen one G5, your freedom isn’t limited to staying out of the house longer. Inogen has built an oxygen machine that is capable of being fully customized to suit all your wants and needs. In this post, we’re going to take a look at seven different things you can do to make the most of your Inogen One G5. If you have any questions about the G5, be sure to leave them in the comment section or fill out the form to the side of the screen so one of our oxygen specialists can reach out to you.

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Read and Understand the G5 User 

Manual

If you want to make the most of your Inogen One G5 experience, you should start by reading and understanding the user manual. The G5 user manual describes in detail all of the specifications and functions of your new mobile oxygen device. It also provides important information about cleaning, maintaining, and troubleshooting your new unit.

You don’t need to read the entire manual from top to bottom, however, it’s recommended that you read the most important sections. This includes things such as operating instructions, user controls, and cleaning and maintenance. You should also begin to familiarize yourself with the audible and visible signals so that you’re prepared if something goes wrong while you’re out and about.

Every Inogen concentrator comes with a manual, so once you’ve read it, be sure to keep it in a place that it won’t get lost. The carrying case that comes with the G5 has a side pouch where you can store it. This way you’ll be able to easily refer back to it whether you’re at home or on a trip. If you ever lose your G5 manual, there is a PDF version you can find online with a quick Google search.

If you decide that you don’t want to carry the Inogen One G5 manual with you, you can always download the Inogen Connect application on your mobile phone or tablet. With this application, you’ll be able to quickly read up on troubleshooting information or check the glossary of symbols for a symbol you don’t recognize.

Discover Which Carrying Option Suits You

The way you carry your Inogen One G5 is almost as important as the weight and size of the unit itself. While you can simply use the carrying case that comes with your G5, you’d be selling yourself short if you didn’t try some of the other carrying options that are available to you. 

The G5 Custom Carrying Case is one of the most popular G5 carrying bags on the market. This is similar to the carrying case that comes with the G5 but it offers a more sleek and minimalist design. The G5 Custom Carrying Case has a shoulder strap that can be adjusted to suit your needs and it a pad to help prevent irritation on your shoulders. Once the device is placed snuggly in the bag, the flap can easily be moved in order to access your G5’s control panel.

The custom carrying case is perfect for anyone who wants to take a quick trip to the grocery store or if you want to travel as light as possible. You’ll be happy to know that there is some storage space on this carrying case, but it’s primarily designed for small personal belongings like your car keys, a wallet, or your Inogen One G5 user manual. The sides are made of a mesh-like material that leaves G5 intake vents open and prevents overheating.

Another carrying option available for the G5 is the Inogen One G5 Backpack. This G5 accessory is designed with the traveler in mind because it has ample storage space to keep all your G5 accessories along with many other belongings such as your passport, wallet, keys, and much more. Like with the custom carrying case, the G5 will fit securely into the back pouch and won’t slide around while you’re walking. The control panel is fully visible and accessible without removing the device.

Last but certainly not least, we have the GO2 Carryalls. The G5 Carryalls have yet to be released, but the G3 Carryalls will give you some idea of what to expect when they do come out. Unlike other Inogen carrying bags on the market, the Carryalls are designed to be stylish. In fact, most people think they’re purses until they look closely and see that it’s holding a portable oxygen concentrator. Once you place your concentrator in this bag, it will be fully concealed with the exception of the nasal cannula which runs out the side. 

Like a purse, the GO2 Carryalls have plenty of room for small personal belongings and the control panel can be accessed by simply unzipping the bag. Currently, the G3 offers two different Carryall colors: a classy brown and a sleek black. Either way you go, this carrying bag is sure to grab the attention of one or more passersby as you’re out and about. If you’re interested in these bags, be sure to wait for the release of the G5 Carryalls. 

Carry Extra Batteries

The Inogen One G5 already offers an impressive 13 hours of battery life on a flow setting of 1 using the 16-cell battery. This is more than enough battery life to stay out all day. This puts the G5 at the second-highest battery life for a POC behind the CAIRE FreeStyle Comfort. This is pretty impressive! But it’s worth noting that if you’re using higher settings or you’re traveling a lot, you may want to invest in a second battery. 

One great thing about the Inogen One G5 batteries is that the 16-cell only weighs 1 pound more than the 8-cell. So, you’re effectively doubling your battery life for only 1 additional pound. You may even be able to upgrade the single battery that comes with the G5 if you decide you don’t want the single battery. 

If you travel by plane frequently, it may be worth it for you to either upgrade to the double battery or purchase an additional one. Most airlines require you to have 1.5 times the duration of the flight in battery life. On the highest flow setting, the G5 double battery will provide you with about 3 hours of battery life, so this should be enough to cover you for most flights within the United States. If not, you can either reduce the flow setting or purchase an additional battery.

Make Use of Different Charging Options

One thing that many oxygen patients forget about the Inogen One G5 is that it has many different charging options to suit your needs. The AC charging cable is the basic wall charger that comes with your portable oxygen concentrator. The DC charging cable, on the other hand, is the one you’ll use to charge your POC in the car via any cigarette lighter. It’s a good idea to keep these both on you wherever you go.

Many oxygen patients are shocked that they’re able to charge their oxygen concentrator while sitting at home or sitting in the car and while they’re simultaneously using it. If you’re taking a road trip, you’ll be able to keep your POC at a maximum charge so when it comes time to take a pit stop or do some sightseeing, you won’t have to worry about running out of battery. The only thing we would advise against is charging your portable oxygen concentrator while the car is off. This will drain the car battery quickly and after a while, you may find that your car won’t start.

The last charging option available for the Inogen One G5 is the external battery charger. This is a small device that attaches to either your 8-cell or 16-cell batteries and can charge them allowing you to charge them without them being attached to the G5 unit itself. What this means is that if you own two batteries, you’ll be able to charge them both at once: one on the G5 and one on the external charger. 

Sell Your Old Home Oxygen Concentrator

Possibly one of the greatest things about owning an Inogen One G5 is that you’ll no longer have a need for your home oxygen concentrator. The G5 has something called Sleep Mode Technology built into it which closely monitors your breathing rate as you sleep. This system will make subtle adjustments to your oxygen delivery to ensure you’re always receiving the right amount of oxygen.

Oftentimes, oxygen manufacturers or oxygen concentrator suppliers will allow you to sell back an oxygen concentrator as long as it’s in good condition. So, if you have a home oxygen concentrator lying around the house, be sure to reach out to an oxygen retailer. With the extra money, you can invest in accessories for your Inogen One G5 or save it.

Another thing you can get rid of now that you have your Inogen G5 are those bulky and dangerous oxygen tanks or oxygen cylinders you have lying around. If you’re currently renting oxygen tanks, you’re going to want to return them to the owner so that you’re not paying to use them monthly. Even if you own your own oxygen tanks, you’ll want to get rid of them because they’re a fire hazard and they take up a lot of space.

In many ways, the Inogen One G5 is an all-purpose oxygen concentrator. It offers a lightweight design like portable oxygen concentrators but it has a high oxygen output like home oxygen concentrators. So, regardless of whether you’re someone who travels non-stop or you never leave the house, you’ll benefit greatly from having an Inogen One G5. Even people who consider themselves “homebodies” love having the ability to be more mobile and active in their own homes so they usually end up selling or returning their old home oxygen concentrators.

Use Your G5 With Your CPAP or BiPAP Machine

In addition to the Intelligent Nighttime Delivery Technology, the Inogen One G5 is CPAP and BiPAP compatible. In other words, if you have COPD and a sleeping disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), you’ll be able to attach your G5 directly to your positive airway pressure machine and receive oxygen treatment simultaneously.

This is a very important feature to have with your portable oxygen concentrator because you shouldn’t have to sacrifice one respiratory treatment for another. Sleep apnea alone can be a very dangerous condition to cope with, and COPD can make it much worse. The compressor inside the Inogen One G5 is designed to be used 24/7, so you’ll never have to worry if it will hold up when you run it day and night.

Before you use your G5 with your CPAP or BiPAP machine, you should first speak with your doctor. He/she may want you to adjust your oxygen settings at night or avoid using your oxygen concentrator altogether while you sleep. You might also consider doing a sleep study which will help your doctor better understand your nighttime oxygen needs. If your doctor does approve of nighttime oxygen use, be sure to reach out to your oxygen retailer and consult the user manual to ensure it’s set up correctly.

Plan a Vacation With Friends and Family

Once you have your Inogen One G5 portable oxygen concentrator, you’d be remiss not to start planning trips that simply weren’t possible before. The G5 was designed to provide you with the freedom you need to live life on your own terms and not be defined by your disease. With the G5’s outstanding battery life and lightweight design, you’ll be amazed at all the places you can go and the things you can do.

One thing that many COPD patients miss is being able to travel out of the country. In the past, the majority of oxygen patients used oxygen tanks which are strictly banned on commercial flights due to their bulky size. As a result, many oxygen patients feel confined and like the walls are closing in on them. What’s more, if these people have family on the opposite side of the country, they’d either have to prepare for a long drive or meet them somewhere in the middle.

Fortunately, oxygen patients have been able to regain all of this freedom with the introduction of portable oxygen concentrators. Since the G5 is approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), all you’ll need to do is contact your airline a couple days ahead of your flight and let them know you’ll be carrying an oxygen concentrator. Most airlines will ask that you take 1.5 times the duration of the flight in batteries which won’t be hard considering the G5 double battery offers up to 13 hours of battery life.

Another freedom you’ll regain with the G5 is the ability to travel via public transportation. In the past, you likely felt self-conscious about taking your oxygen tank on the subway or bus because there’s always the fear that someone will bump into it, or that your cart might break and you won’t be able to move it. However, the G5 is so small that you can rest it under your shoulder as you’re walking so that nobody bumps into it. It’s also much more durable than an oxygen tank so you won’t have to worry if it gets jostled around a little bit.

At the end of the day, the most important part about traveling is getting to spend quality time with friends and family. When you make the transition to the G5, you’ll be able to spend more time connecting with those around you rather than worrying about your oxygen therapy. A portable oxygen concentrator will enable you to be self-sufficient by managing your own oxygen delivery rather than feeling like you’re a burden on someone else. Depending on your age and the stage of COPD that you have, you may even be comfortable traveling alone, even if it’s just for a short period of time. 

Conclusion

If you just purchased an Inogen One G5, congratulations! You own the most advanced and reliable portable oxygen concentrator ever produced! But if you want to make the most of your G5, you need to get out and start enjoying all the things you used to see and do. If you’re used to being held back and restricted by your oxygen therapy device, it’s time to take a step back and reframe your mindset. With the G5, there is very little standing in the way of you and your dreams or aspirations, so get out and get moving!

If you have any questions at all about operating your Inogen One G5, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by filling out the contact form to the right. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can.