With around 65 million patients worldwide, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is anything but uncommon. In fact, it’s one of the most prevalent lung conditions in the world behind asthma. However, despite these statistics, COPD is labeled an “invisible illness.” Many people suffer with this condition in silence, and society as a whole tends to stigmatize it by misunderstanding what its causes are and what life is like with this condition.
In previous blog posts, we’ve talked about how the Caire FreeStyle Comfort portable oxygen concentrator is breaking down barriers when it comes to the way people see COPD patients. Instead of having to struggle with heavy and bulky oxygen tanks, COPD patients are now able to get out of the house with ease, travel the world, and keep up with all of their friends and family. Caire FreeStyle Comfort users often attribute these things to the device's small form factor, lightweight design, and sleek indiscreet look.
If you want to learn more about the specifications of the Caire FreeStyle Comfort, feel free to visit this page and if you’d like to learn about the top benefits, please visit this page. In the meantime, however, we’re going to be taking a look at all of the accessories currently available for the Caire FreeStyle Comfort. We’ll link out to each accessory so that you can learn more about them and purchase one for an affordable price. And as always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comment section below so we can get back to you or refer you to one of our oxygen concentrator specialists.
The first thing you need to decide when you purchase a portable oxygen concentrator is how you will carry it. You won’t be making full use of your concentrator if you aren’t getting out of the house and enjoying your newfound freedom, and you won’t be enjoying it to the fullest unless you’re using a carrying case that suits your lifestyle. One of the carrying cases we recommend for the FreeStyle Comfort is the custom carry case.
The FreeStyle Comfort carry case is designed to be simple and easy to use. It’s a thin cloth case that slips onto the bottom of your device. The top of your POC including the control panel will be accessible so you can easily make adjustments to your flow rate, check your battery life, and view any alerts on the screen. The device is held snugly in place so you won’t have to worry about it wobbling around or falling out while you’re walking. It also has an adjustable padded shoulder strap so you can find a length that’s comfortable for you.
This carrying case is perfect for anyone who wants to get out of the house and visit a friend, take a walk, or go to the grocery store. It’s best for anyone who prefers something sleek and easy to use as opposed to something with a lot of bells and whistles or unnecessary carrying space. While the Caire FreeStyle Comfort package already comes with this case, you can always buy one separately if yours is lost or stolen.
It’s not uncommon for people with COPD to experience back, shoulder, or neck pain, weakness, or fatigue. Most COPD patients are older adults and meaning COPD patients are far more likely to experience these issues than the general population. We wrote a great article about coping with this type of pain, so be sure to check it out if you’re interested. In terms of portable oxygen, however, many people are unable to carry it over one shoulder like the custom carrying case is designed for.
The Caire FreeStyle Comfort backpack is designed for people who want to limit the amount of weight distributed to each shoulder so that you don’t experience any chronic pain. Unlike the backpack for the Inogen One G5 which has lots of carrying space, the FreeStyle Comfort one is relatively minimalistic allowing you to limit your carrying weight as much as possible.
The Caire FreeStyle Comfort backpack is great for just about any activity you can think of. Whether you’re traveling with your POC or you want to get outside in golf when the weather's nice, this backpack will keep your oxygen unit snug to your back so that you can focus on enjoying your day. It also comes with adjustable padded shoulder straps to help you customize it to your liking.
Like all other portable oxygen concentrators, the Caire FreeStyle Comfort is powered by durable and reliable lithium-ion batteries. This is the same type of battery that’s found in your cellphone or laptop and it’s known for providing a long battery life without adding a lot of weight. When you purchase any Caire FreeStyle Comfort package it will come with one “small” 8-cell battery unless you choose to upgrade to a larger one.
Compared to other portable oxygen concentrators on the market, the FreeStyle Comfort offers an outstanding battery life. Below you can see the expected battery life based on the flow setting that you’re using. As the flow rate increases, the battery life expectancy decreases. Keep in mind that over a very long period of time your battery might gradually lose its ability to hold a charge. Check out this guide to learn why lithium-ion batteries age and how to slow the rate that they deteriorate.
|
Flow Setting |
8-Cell Battery |
|
1 |
8 hours |
|
2 |
4 hours |
|
3 |
3 hours |
|
4 |
2.25 hours |
|
5 |
2 hours |
The other battery option available for the FreeStyle Comfort is the 16-cell battery (sometimes called the “double” battery). This battery is not sold with the concentrator unless you upgrade your package but it provides twice as much battery life as the 8-cell battery. Below you can see the expected duration based on the flow setting you’re using.
Ideally, before you purchase a POC, you will need to determine how much battery life you will need. If you live an active lifestyle or you travel a lot you might want to have one 16-cell battery and one 8-cell battery or even two 16-cell batteries. However, if you stay home a lot and have access to an outlet then you may be just fine with one 8-cell battery. Here at LPT Medical we always have great deals on batteries so we can help you get what you need.
|
Flow Setting |
16-Cell Battery |
|
1 |
16 hours |
|
2 |
8 hours |
|
3 |
6 hours |
|
4 |
4.5 hours |
|
5 |
4 hours |
Normally, to charge your concentrator battery, it needs to be attached to your device. Then you can plug it into any electrical outlet. However, if you have more than one battery and want to keep them all charged at once, you’re going to need an external battery charger. This is a small and lightweight device that you attach to either your 8-cell or your 16-cell battery.
The external battery charger will add a lot of convenience to your day. Rather than having to charge your batteries back-to-back, you can charge multiple batteries at once. In other words, if you only have a short amount of time at home before you have to leave, you’ll be able to have both your batteries ready to go by the time you leave the house.
The external battery charger also has a very small form factor so if you’re trying to cut down on carry weight while you’re traveling, you won’t have to worry too much about it.
An AC adapter is a cable that allows you to charge your POC via a wall outlet. The AC adapter comes standard with all Caire FreeStyle Comfort packages, but they are also sold separately in case yours is lost or stolen. This is a must-have accessory for the Caire FreeStyle Comfort because you won’t be able to charge your device at home if you don’t have one. It’s also important to note that if you’re traveling out of the country, you’ll need to use an adapter that will fit whichever region you’re in. You should also check the FreeStyle Comfort user manual to make sure the voltage is the same as the wall outlet you’re using.
A DC adapter is similar to the AC adapter but instead of plugging into a wall outlet, it plugs into the cigarette outlet in your car. This is incredibly useful if you want to have a way to charge your POC while you’re on a road trip. You can even use the oxygen concentrator while it’s charging, so there’s no downtime whatsoever. You can feel free to make as many stops as you want in order to take a break or do some sightseeing along the way.
One thing to note is that it’s best not to charge your portable oxygen concentrator while the car is off. If you drain the car’s battery too much you might not be able to get it started again. What’s more, some cars don’t even allow you to use the electrical outlets while the car is off and it’s to avoid this exact issue. For more information about charging your Caire FreeStyle Comfort in the car, please consult the user manual.
The Caire FreeStyle Comfort is one of the lightest, smallest, and most powerful pulse dose portable oxygen concentrators ever produced. It has an extremely low failure rate and it offers a wide range of accessories that help you make the most of it. Accessories like the backpack and custom carrying case provide you with options as to how you want to carry your device and devices like the external battery charger will significantly reduce the amount of time it takes you to recharge your batteries.
While the FreeStyle Comfort is a great fit for most oxygen patients, there are still a couple of other portable oxygen concentrators we happily recommend here at LPT Medical. The Inogen One G5, for example, is similar to the FreeStyle Comfort, however, it offers one additional pulse flow setting and the device weighs slightly less overall.
The Inogen One G4 is another great option if you’re looking to limit weight as much as possible. However, it has a lower flow rate and battery life as a result. If you’re someone who requires continuous flow oxygen, the Respironics SimplyGo is a great choice. It’s the lightest continuous flow ever made and it’s extremely durable and reliable.
There are many types of home and portable oxygen concentrators out there, so if you’re confused about anything at all, please reach out to our respiratory specialists. We’ll walk you through the whole process of finding the device that’s right for your lifestyle needs and your budget.