Oxygen therapy can be an intimidating addition to your life, but it doesn't have to keep you at home. When traveling for work or for vacations it is important to have proper planning, you can still enjoy the independence and adventure of travel. Experts in home oxygen therapy help make travel easier for their COPD patients with the following checklist.
Four to six weeks before you travel
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Make all arrangements as far in advance as possible, especially if you are booking air travel.
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When booking your ticket, let your travel agent or air, cruise, train, or bus line know that you will be traveling with oxygen. Make sure you know their oxygen policies and all associated costs.
At a minimum, you must inform the airlines forty-eight hours in advance of your check-in time.
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If you will be staying in a hotel, motel or bed & breakfast, inform the booking agent that you will be bringing oxygen with you. Most importantly, be sure to let them know if you are expecting oxygen to arrive at the hotel in advance of your arrival.
Three weeks before you travel
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At least three weeks before you travel, contact your home oxygen provider and ask for help in arranging oxygen tanks and supplies while you are on the road. There are several equipment options to accommodate your travel needs. Your oxygen provider should be able to guide you. Be prepared with the following information:
a. Dates of your planned travel
b. Destination(s) of your travel plans
c. Are you flying? If yes, what airline? Or by train? Bus? Etc.
d. What is the total flight time from gate to gate?
e. If you are not flying, how are you traveling?
f. Are you planning to use a CPAP or Bi-Level device while traveling?
Two weeks before you travel
- Talk to your doctor about traveling.
- If you are flying, get a signed statement or prescription from your physician that includes:
a. When oxygen use is necessary (on all or a portion of the trip)
b. For air travel, maximum flow rate corresponding to the pressure of the cabin under normal operating conditions
One week before you travel
- Confirm all details with your oxygen equipment supplier, hotel and travel agent, airline or other travel provider.
While you are traveling
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Remember: NEVER take your own home oxygen tank on board any aircraft of any kind. Your oxygen equipment supplier and airline will provide you with specific equipment options and guidelines.
- Make sure to take all of your contact numbers for your physician and oxygen equipment provider.
- If you are flying, arrive at the airport early. Airport security screeners may require extra time to inspect your equipment.
Oxygen therapy does not have to turn you into an armchair traveler. A little careful planning can give you back the joy and independence of travel. Hopefully, this article gives you the information you need to travel with joy and independence.
Questions? Ask your doctor or home oxygen provider.
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Antwon Taylor is a home oxygen and sleep therapy technician at Pacific Pulmonary Services.which is one of the largest providers of home oxygen, sleep therapy and nebulized medications in the United States.
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