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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsLast night was a perfect example of how compromised my health truly is…
As most here on DU know, I have severely challenged breathing issues. I need supplemental Oxygen just to be able to walk around the house. As the wind and rain stared to howl around our house, rattling the windows, naturally culling the dead branches out of our trees, the power started to stutter.
Nothing terrible, just a little unnerving since we have a full wall of windows facing due north.
However, at around 11:00, the power started to stutter. Every fifteen minutes or so, the power would shut down and come right back, usually as close to immediately as possible.
At first, I thought it was the connection between the house and the grid since our intake wiring comes right through two trees. Since our development was built back in the early 50s, our wires are still strung while almost every other development it has underground wires.
When I took a look outside, the only outdoor sign visible from our house and saw that it was flickering on the same schedule.
Now every time the lights flickered, my Oxygen machine would sputter and then let out a screeching sound that would scare off a grave robber. And since the everything was flickering, the internet was almost impossible to use and the cable, well we gave up.
So we were left mostly in the dark with a screeching O2 machine and a static filled portable radio.
Now I do have an emergency tank that holds close to 50 hours of O2. But if something really drastic happened, I didnt want to use up the back-up tank.
MrsWCGreen put some earplugs in and went to bed. Me, well, I just laid there trying to read as the howling wind, the pelting rain was punctuated with the screech of the O2 machine. It last all the way till about 7:30AM.
hobbit709
(41,694 posts)Battery backup and regulates varying voltages.
WCGreen
(45,558 posts)CaliforniaPeggy
(151,297 posts)What a scary night that must have been, between the noise and the worry that the power would go out.
I would suggest a generator; you wouldn't need a very big one, just one to run your concentrator and the furnace, for instance.
I hope you're OK, and catch up your sleep today...
madokie
(51,076 posts)gateley
(62,683 posts)this might last, if even your emergency tank would be enough.
I'm so relieved for you that it's back to normal -- post-storm normal. .
kentuck
(112,229 posts)I hope it is better today?
WCGreen
(45,558 posts)I am going to try and get some sleep. By the time the wind settled down, Mrs. WCGreen was up so we talked about getting a generator in case this was to happen again.
kentuck
(112,229 posts)Good to hear you are better today. Hope you are able to catch a few zzz's.
HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)One of my nieces (in Delaware) requires a feeding tube device and light to measure her drugs (parents have to do it). The UPS for their computer was only a 350VA unit, but it got them through a few hours of blackout.
WCGreen
(45,558 posts)My sister is always asking me what I want for Christmas... She's loaded....
HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)susanr516
(1,434 posts)I would also contact your electric service provider and see if it is possible to mark your account as one that requires electricity to operate medical equipment. Not all providers do this, but it doesn't hurt to ask.
gvstn
(2,805 posts)Would be to see if you can get an extra backup tank or two. I don't know what they cost as to the deposit on the tank but it might be an option for you if you are strong enough to easily switch over from the machine to the tanks.
Take care of yourself. You don't need the extra stress of having a countdown clock starting each time the power goes out.
WCGreen
(45,558 posts)The one big one would last 50 or so hours and the little ones I have, including the three pulsating canisters I have, bring that up to about 60 or so hours.
I use the smaller tanks to exercise because I can crank it up to six or seven lt per minute and that gets me into the 20-25 min of exercise zone...
slackmaster
(60,567 posts)Jazzgirl
(3,744 posts)I have compromised lungs and have a lung machine that I use only when I really need it. My doctor says I'm one of the lucky ones. I don't know but I remember when I've been sick enough where it was difficult to take more than 2-3 steps without feeling completely winded. Take care and do check out getting a generator for Xmas....especially if your sis is loaded!
WCGreen
(45,558 posts)Now I have to pry that loose.