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Emergency Preparedness for Medical Equipment Users

If you use medical equipment at home, a storm, power outage, or evacuation can affect your care. This page covers what to do before, during, and after an emergency, and how to reach us.

If you’re having trouble breathing or have a medical emergency, call 911.

Call Synapse 24/7: 888-336-9363

Call us right away if:

  • Your equipment is damaged or isn’t working the way it should.
  • You use equipment that needs electricity, like oxygen or a ventilator, and your power is out.
  • You’re running low on medical supplies.
  • You’ve left your home and need to tell us where you are.

Don’t wait for us to reach you. Call 888-336-9363. A real person is available 24/7.

Before an emergency

Take these steps now, while things are calm.

Make a list of your equipment and contacts

Write down:

  • Each piece of medical equipment you use, including the brand, model, and serial number. Look for a label on the device.
  • Synapse Health: 888-336-9363
  • Your doctor’s phone number
  • Your equipment provider’s phone number (the company that delivered your equipment)
  • A family member, friend, or neighbor who can help

Keep one copy on your fridge and one on your phone. Let your emergency contacts know what equipment you use.

Check your backup batteries

If your equipment has a backup battery, like a ventilator or portable oxygen concentrator:

  • Test the battery to make sure it works.
  • Keep it fully charged.
  • Know how long the battery lasts. Check your user guide, or call us if you’re not sure.

Plan for a power outage

  • Call your utility company. Many have a program for customers who use medical equipment that needs power. Ask what they offer and how to sign up.
  • Some cities and counties keep a list of residents who may need extra help in an emergency. Call your local emergency management office to ask.
  • Have a backup power plan, like extra batteries or a generator. If you’re not sure what will work with your equipment, call us.
  • Keep flashlights and extra batteries where you can find them in the dark.

Keep extra supplies on hand

Talk to your doctor about how many extra supplies, like tubing, cannulas, or test strips, you should keep at home.

To reorder, call us at 888-336-9363 or use the patient portal.

Pack a go-bag

If you might need to leave home quickly, keep these together:

  • Your equipment and contact list
  • Chargers, power cords, and backup batteries
  • Extra supplies
  • Your health plan card and a photo ID
  • Your equipment user guides, or photos of them on your phone

If you need to leave your home

  • Bring all of your medical equipment, supplies, chargers, and batteries.
  • Once you’re somewhere safe, call us at 888-336-9363 and tell us where you are. That way we can reach you if you need help with your equipment or supplies.
  • You can also update your delivery address in the patient portal.
  • Tell your emergency contacts where you’re going.

Stay safe during a power outage

If you use oxygen

  • Keep oxygen away from open flames, including candles, gas stoves, and fireplaces. Use flashlights instead of candles.
  • Don’t smoke, and don’t let anyone smoke near your oxygen.
  • If your oxygen concentrator has no power, switch to your backup tanks or portable unit if you have them, and call us.
  • If you’re having trouble breathing, call 911.

If you use a generator

  • Never run a generator inside your home, garage, or basement, even with the doors or windows open.
  • Keep it outside and away from windows, doors, and vents.
  • Use a carbon monoxide (CO) detector with a battery backup.
  • Call us before you plug medical equipment into a generator so we can help you check that it’s safe for your device.

After an emergency

  • Check your equipment. If it looks damaged, got wet, or isn’t working right, call us right away. We’ll help you with next steps.
  • Take photos of any damage. Photos help us understand what happened.
  • If your power is still out, call your utility company to ask when it will be back. Keep using backup power until your power is stable.
  • Replace any supplies you used, like tubing or oxygen. Call us or use the patient portal.
  • If you stayed somewhere else, call us when you get home so we have your current address.

How to reach us

For a medical emergency, call 911.

Last updated: October 2026