If you're looking at buying or renting a portable oxygen tank, you probably have a lot of questions before you head out to choose the right one for you or for your loved one. Here are some of the most common questions and their answers. There are a number of reasons a patient would choose a portable oxygen tank over another type of oxygen tank or oxygen cylinder. First of all, these tanks tend to be more convenient than the traditional heavy tanks that are used in a hospital setting. Since these tanks can be easily transported in a wheelchair or an oxygen tank cart or backpack, life doesn't have to stop because you or someone you love needs oxygen. These types of tanks can be brought in the car, on a plane, on a train, or in any sort of tight situation. The smaller size also makes it more convenient to carry more than one tank for a longer excursion or just for a backup tank.

While the new portable oxygen tank is made of aluminum and it feels a lot less sturdy than the traditional heavy tanks, it is still just as durable and as safe to carry – if not more so. Because these tanks are more portable, they are easier to handle and they will not get as banged up as the larger tanks tend to get. Aluminum might be lightweight, but it's also very resilient to bumps and drops. You might have a few dents in the canister, but this will not necessarily make the tank unusable.