EXHIBIT 23.1
    
 
   
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
    
 
   
    We consent to the use in this Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No.
333-58935 of MEDIQ Incorporated and subsidiaries ("MEDIQ") and MEDIQ/PRN Life
Support Services, Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of MEDIQ Incorporated) and
subsidiaries ("MEDIQ/PRN"), of our reports dated November 25, 1997 for MEDIQ and
dated May 21, 1998 for MEDIQ/PRN, respectively, appearing in the Prospectus,
which is a part of such Registration Statement, and of our report dated November
25, 1997 relating to MEDIQ's financial statement schedule appearing elsewhere in
this Registration Statement.
    
 
   
    We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such
Prospectus.
    
 
   
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE, LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
September 18, 1998