Now that I’m back to using oxygen tanks/bottles,  I have to plan things a bit more carefully.

I’m lucky that I don’t have to rely solely on e-tanks (the largest size tank), for short trips to the store, going out with friends, & walking around I can get by with a smaller size tank called a D tank if I choose.

The problem is it’s still a bit heavy to be “backpacked” (like I used to do with my M6 bottles when I first went on oxygen).

Yet, I still found a solution (after searching online) because I hate the sling bags the suppliers provide as a carrier for these tanks.

The only thing they seem to work for is going up stairs, but they’re still heavy as hell & kill my shoulder. Especially when I had carried the Niov on a belt loop, I feel weighted down & lopsided with it.

(I also will mention, I tried a few different hacks for carrying around my Niov & for me a running belt seemed to be the most comfortable & secure anchor most of the time. Even when I had to adjust it periodically.  I used the Nathan 5K belt which is lightweight & adjustable.  I switched off between that & a cheap belt I got at TJ Maxx when it wasn’t practical for me to use a running belt. I tried a carabiner & I like the ones I ordered, but they didnt seem to work as well with the Niov “loop” for anchoring.)

When I’m out, I do “backpack” this but not in the way I used to with my other bottles.  I use a rolling backpack instead.

I use the J World NY Sunny Rolling backpack.  It’s not a perfect fit but close. I can easily put two D tanks in there. This also guarantees I always have a spare with me. It’s especially nice for restaurants because it takes up less space than an E tank with a cart.

It won’t zip at the top, but I prefer that way because I can monitor the tank gauges more easily & change them quicker.   I like that it has pockets on both sides so usually I would stick my Niov in the one to avoid having to carry it.  It seems to work just as well.   Then I could get at it to adjust easier.   I am also able to carry tank keys & tubing or other things in it if I needed to.

I decided on this one after looking at the dimensions of other bags & reviews of others.

This just seemed lower profile & easier to manage for me.  But it really saves on my back & didn’t weigh more than my old Simply Go concentrator used to with the two bottles so it’s still manageable. Especially when loading in & out of a car.  It also seemed to have better reviews & was more affordable than the 02 Sidekick or Handi-Air  bags that medical supply companies make.

This was around $40 (depending on where you buy it) which the others were in the neighborhood of $50-70.  So I figure even if it doesn’t last long, it will probably get me far enough.

Then post transplant, I have something if I need it too for overnight trips or transplant house stays.

I ordered this one after trying to match the dimensions of the aforementioned oxygen bags & this seemed closest.  I just ordered online to conserve energy & figured I could send it back if it didn’t work. At the time, my D tanks hadn’t come from my supplier yet either so I couldn’t test a bag in a store. I just tried matching the dimensions of the cylinder as best as I could & this came close.

I just thought I’d pass it along, because I know some other oxygen users at my local lung doctor’s office asked me where I got it.

Take a bottle to a department store & test a few out (if one prefers to not order online or there’s a preference for some other color & style) & there still might be one that meets your needs.

Even though my flows are increasing to where I’m using e tanks more often, I still find for short runs to the store this is handy because I can put the backpack in the cart or if I am carrying lighter stuff I still have one hand free for a basket.