Traveling with oxygen can be scary, especially if it’s the first time you’ve done it. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be intimidating, you just have to do some extra planning before you get going.
When you were first told you needed supplemental oxygen, you might have thought that you had to give up traveling. You don’t have to give anything up. Now that you have oxygen, your vacations will be even better because breathing properly will make you feel pretty great.
Traveling with oxygen can be scary, especially if it’s the first time you’ve done it. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be intimidating, you just have to do some extra planning before you get going.
First thing’s first
Before you start booking tickets for your trip, make sure that your doctor has cleared you to travel. You’ll need that clearance for most of the modes of transportation available, except your personal vehicle.
Below are some travel tips to help you out.
Traveling by car
This is the easiest way to travel if you need oxygen. Before you leave, call your oxygen supplier and give them the details of your trip. They will let you know if and how much extra oxygen you need. You’ll also want to find a supplier at your destination just in case you have an emergency and need more.
Keep your oxygen tanks upright, sealed well, and out of direct sunlight. When you’re in the car, be sure the window is open slightly. Finally, nobody can smoke while you have oxygen in the vehicle because it could cause an explosion.
Flying to your vacation spot
Taking a plane under ordinary circumstances is a pain in the rear, so surely you’re concerned it’ll be worse when you fly with your oxygen concentrator.
Before you set out, make sure that you have the clearance your doctor gave you for travel. You’ll also want your prescription. Airlines cannot let you fly if you do not have the proper documents from your physician.
After you have that stuff, call the airline and let them know that you have oxygen with you. They will let you know if they need anything else.
Further, you’ll also want to buy a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved portable oxygen concentrator. If you don’t have the proper medical device, you may not be allowed to board.
Reaching your destination by train
Like flying, you will need all of your medical clearances and your prescription. Confirm your reservation in advance and let the company know that you will be taking oxygen with you.
You can take liquid or gas tanks with you but they have to be Factory Manual or Underwriters Laboratory certified. Furthermore, if you have a portable concentrator it needs to be able to work for at least six hours.
Going on a cruise
Cruises are so much fun and they are just as enjoyable when you have supplemental oxygen. As with the other modes of travel, make sure you have documentation from your doctor, enough oxygen to get through the duration and extra just in case something happens.
Call the cruise line a couple of weeks in advance to let them know that you’ll have oxygen with you. When you contact them, ask about any other rules and regulations they may have. Some cruise lines even have specific sails for people like you who have to use supplemental oxygen.
As you can see, the most important part about traveling with your oxygen is planning. You don’t just want to plan for the plane or train ride, you also want to cover yourself just in case you encounter a delay or have an emergency. The last thing you want is to be stuck at your destination without enough oxygen to get by.
If you follow these steps, your trip will go smoothly and you’ll have a great time.
