 Thursday 23rd February 2012 |
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The following are tips that you can use to plan your next trip:
- Speak with your doctor to make sure its safe for you to travel
- Obtain a current physician order (prescription) for your oxygen. Keep a copy with you at all times.
- Decide where, how and when you will travel.
- Contact you oxygen provider or POCMedical.com
Flying with Oxygen
Flying with supplemental oxygen equipment requires advance planning. You should check with your airline for their guidelines prior to your trip. For example, most airlines require patients to carry a prescription and a written statement from a physician allowing you to fly. Other guidelines may include:
- Confirming travel arrangements with the airline 48 hours in advance.
- The ability to hear the portable oxygen concentrator alarms and see the alarm light indicators, to take the appropriate action in response to these warnings, or travel with a companion capable of doing so.
- Notifying the airline upon check-in, and the flight attendant upon boarding, that you plan on using a portable concentrator onboard the plane.
- Ask for an aisle seat near the restroom.
- Drink fluids but avoid caffeine and carbonated drinks; they will make you feel bloated.
- Be familiar with the latest airport security screening policies and plan for extra time for inspection.
Find more detail travel guidelines at portableoxygenconcentrator.com
Important Information Regarding Security Screening of POCs
Recently heightened security measures have prompted questions surrounding the use of Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POCs) onboard commercial flights. According to the Department of Homeland Security, POCs have been and are still allowed through security checkpoints once they have been screened. All disability-related equipment, aids, and devices continue to be allowed through security checkpoints once cleared through screening. Other disability and medically related items permitted beyond the checkpoint include: wheelchairs; scooters; crutches; canes; walkers; prosthetic devices; casts; support braces; support appliances; service animals; any and all diabetes related medication, equipment, and supplies; orthopedic shoes; exterior medical devices; assistive/adaptive equipment; augmentation devices; ostomy supplies; medications and associated supplies; hearing aids; cochlear implants; tools for wheelchair disassembly / reassembly; personal supplemental oxygen; CPAP machines; respirators; baby apnea monitors; Braille note takers; slate and stylus; tools for prosthetic devices; and any other disability-related equipment and associated supplies. TSA’s Checkpoint Security Screening Procedures for persons with disabilities, medical conditions, and the mature have NOT changed as a result of the increased security measures. People with disabilities, those with prosthetic devices, and those with medical conditions are not required to remove their shoes during this heightened security level nor has this been the case during routine travel times. Those who keep their shoes on will be subjected to additional screening that includes a visual/physical and explosive trace detection sampling of their footwear. Travelers with disabilities, medical conditions, and the mature may want to consider the following:
- Arrive at the airport well in advance, 2-3 hours prior to flight
- Follow all published rules on carry-on items and medications
- Bring documentation on medications, devices, medical condition where possible. This is not a requirement and will not exempt a passenger from the screening process.
- Pack medications in a clear bag separate from other carry-on items/bags
- Ensure medically prescribed medication bottles (name on bottle) match your ticket
- Exercise patience with the lines, delays, and stringent screening procedures .It is also recommend you refer to the TSA website for any policy changes before you travel. Guidance and tips to travelers with disabilities are located on the Department of Homeland Security Transportation Security Administration website at: http://www.tsa.gov.
- Plug your Portable Oxygen Concentrator into an AC outlet to recharge the batteries.
The following airlines allow portable oxygen concentrators:
| Air Berlin | Commut Air | Midwest | |
| Air Canada | Delta | Midwest Connect | |
| Air France | El AL Isreal Airlines | Northwest Airlines | |
| Air Iceland | Express Jet | Pinnacle Airlines | |
| AirTran Airways | Freedom Airlines | Quantas | |
| Alaska | Frontier | Sinapore Air | |
| Allegiant Air | Gulfstream International | Southwest | |
| American Airlines | Hawaiian | Sun Country /td> | |
| American Eagle | Horizon | SAS Airlines | |
| America West | Iceland Air | Shuttle America | |
| ASA-Atlantic Southeast | JAL | United Airlines | |
| British Airways | JetBlue | US Airlines | |
| Cathay Pacific | KLM | Virgin Atlantic | |
| Chautauqua Airlines | Luftansa | West Jet | |
| Colgan Air | Mango | ||
| Comair | Mesaba Airlines |
Travel by Land – Car, RV, Train or Bus
Traveling by car, recreational vehicle, bus or train typically presents fewer restrictions to travelers relying on oxygen therapy. If traveling by land via a commercial carrier, patients are typically required to contact their carrier in advance regarding their need to use portable oxygen equipment.
Land-travel Tips
- Always check with your physician before your trip to determine if a change in climate or altitude may have an effect on your breathing.
- Your doctor may need to adjust your oxygen flow rate accordingly.
- Keep the name and telephone number of your home care equipment provider on hand in the event that you have a question or request while on the road.
- Never store oxygen tanks in the trunk or locked in a hot car.
- Always keep the oxygen container upright and secure.
- Always open a window slightly to prevent oxygen accumulation.
- Never smoke while using oxygen.
Car or Recreational Vehicle
The long-battery life is ideal for both short and long recreational vehicle trips. While traveling, you can rely on the device’s rechargeable battery for complete freedom or you can plug into the car’s DC outlet. Connecting to the DC outlet allows you to operate from a car or an RV battery. Please contact portableoxygenconcentrators.com for more detailed instructions. Note: As with any devise utilizing an automobile’s DC power port, the engine must be running – otherwise the automobile’s battery will discharge.
Train Travel
Traveling by train is also convenient with few restrictions or requirements. Americas national rail system, Amtrak, provides the following guidelines:
- You must notify Amtrak at least 12 hours in advance of boarding time of your need to bring oxygen on the train.
- Amtrak requires that the oxygen equipment cannot rely solely on train-provided electrical power. Any device brought on a train must be able to operate a minimum of four hours without available onboard electrical power.
- If you would like to recharge your portable concentrator aboard the train, electrical outlets are available for Amtrak passengers traveling in a sleeping car.
For additional information on train travel with oxygen, contact Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL (872-7245) or visit their website at http://www.Amtrak.com.
Bus Travel
Bus lines such as Greyhound permit travelers to carry and use supplemental oxygen devices like the EverGo. General guidelines suggest that oxygen therapy patients provide 48-hour advance notification before day of travel. According to Greyhound, advance notice is in accordance with federal guidelines and allows them to make the necessary arrangements to provide requested assistance. To arrange assistance for travel within the Greyhound system, call their Customers with Disabilities Travel Assistance Line at 1-800-752-4841.
Sea Travel
Most cruise lines allow passengers to bring their personal supply of oxygen, such as EverGo, aboard ship. Check with your cruise line well in advance to learn more about specific requirements, policies and procedures for bringing oxygen equipment onboard. For your convenience, we have provided contact information for the most popular cruise line companies.
Major Lines
| Carnival Cruise Lines Celebrity Cruise Lines |
www.carnival.com www.celebritycruise.com |
866-299-5698 800-647-2251 |
| Costa Cruise Line | www.costacuise.com | 800-445-8020 ex. 5009 |
| Crystal Cruise Line | www.crystalcruises.com | 800-804-1500 |
| Cunard Cruise Line | www.cunard.com | 800-728-6273 |
| Disney Cruise line | www.disneycruise.disney.go.com | 800-951-3532 |
| Holland America | www.holandamerica.com | 877-724-5425 |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | www.nci.com | |
| Princess Cruise Line | www.princess.com | 800-774-6237 |
| Regent Seven Seas Cruise Line | www.rssc.com | 877-505-5370 |
| Royal Caribbean | www.royalcribbean.com | 888-562-7625 |
| Windstar Cruise Line | www.windstarcruises.com | 800-258-7245 |
Support Group
The American Lung Association may be able to provide you with additional support or specialized assistance for your cruise. Contact your local chapter of the American Lung Association (www.lungusa.org) or POC Medical for details.