{"id":1467,"date":"2015-02-05T09:00:55","date_gmt":"2015-02-05T09:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oxygenworldwide.wordpress.com\/?p=1467"},"modified":"2023-05-05T09:27:59","modified_gmt":"2023-05-05T09:27:59","slug":"lung-conditions-shouldnt-stop-you-from-planning-a-holiday-this-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oxygenworldwide.com\/de\/lung-conditions-shouldnt-stop-you-from-planning-a-holiday-this-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"Lung Conditions Shouldn’t Stop You From Planning A Holiday This Summer!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\tThere is a myth that if you are on oxygen therapy then your life is effectively over and that it is too restrictive and complicated to go away on holiday. This is not necessarily the case and for most sufferers the world is your oyster. Always check with your doctor first to ensure you are fit enough to travel and ask your doctor to write a letter stating this just in case you need it.
\nAll you need to do is prepare and plan the holiday well and ensure that you consider some factors when planning your trip:
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Climate: many people with lung conditions prefer warm climates that have salty air. Lower oxygen levels at higher altitudes can make breathing difficulties worse.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Terrain: whether your destination is flat or on a hill could affect your ability to get around comfortably.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Wheelchair access.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Transport availability.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Special needs such as oxygen treatment.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Plan in advance: if you leave things to the last minute, you could forget something crucial. Think about how far you can walk, how many stairs you can manage, access to toilets and what transport you can use.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Be realistic: places you liked in the past may not be suitable now. Pick something you and your carer can cope with physically.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Shop around: different companies have different policies for people with lung conditions, so find the best deal for you. Many travel agents offer holidays for people with special requirements.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Ask questions: travel firms are used to dealing with special requirements. They should be able to answer all of your queries and concerns.
\nArrange Insurance
\nYou should ensure that you and your carer have full travel insurance before going away to avoid huge medical bills if you are taken ill during your trip. Look into this first as it may be expensive and you may need a specialist provider depending on your health. Check that it covers all aspects of your medical condition and that you declare everything accurately to them otherwise it may not be valid, leaving you with a huge bill.
\nKeep your documents safe with you while you travel in case you need them suddenly in an emergency.
\nThe European Health Insurance Card<\/a> (EHIC) entitles you to reduced cost \u2013 sometimes free \u2013 medical treatment if you fall ill when travelling in Europe.
\nChoosing Accommodation
\nAccommodation in the UK is divided into four mobility categories:
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Category One \u2013 suitable for people able to climb a flight of stairs that have extra fittings to aid balance.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Category Two \u2013 suitable for someone who needs a wheelchair some of the time but can manage a maximum of three steps.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Category Three \u2013 suitable for people who depend on a wheelchair but who can transfer unaided to and from the wheelchair in a seated position.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Category Four \u2013 suitable for a person who depends on the use of a wheelchair and needs help from a carer or a mechanical hoist to transfer to and from the wheelchair.
\nEach category has its own logo, which is displayed by accommodation providers that have been assessed. Make sure you choose accommodation that best fits of requirements.
\nOther countries have different systems so just make sure you ask your travel agent about how to choose your accommodation abroad.
\nGetting There
\nCoach
\nSeveral coach companies are working towards making their vehicles accessible for people with disabilities. Many coaches now feature kneeling suspension, which makes boarding and alighting easier. Most on-board toilet facilities are now level with the coach seating.
\nSome companies allow you to bring on board your own oxygen supply and will carry some types of collapsible battery-powered wheelchairs.
\nTrain
\nDifferent train companies have different policies regarding people with disabilities, so plan your route in advance and find out which companies\u2019 trains you need.
\nFerry
\nMany ferry companies have lifts, toilets and wheelchair facilities; some can supply wheelchairs at terminals. A few have special cabins for disabled people and\/or offer discounts. Check before you book, especially if you need oxygen.
\nCamping and caravanning
\nThe Camping and Caravanning Club has three stages of accessibility for camping and caravan sites. So you just need to check that the site is appropriate for your needs.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0No accessible facilities;
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Accessible to people who can move around a little, but not wheelchair accessible; and
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Fully accessible including shower blocks and facilities.
\nHolidaying With Oxygen
\nOxygen for travel in the UK is provided by the NHS. You just need to let your usual oxygen provider know the details of your holiday, including the dates you are going and returning and where you will be staying, and they will arrange everything for you.
\nYou should first get permission to store oxygen cylinders and equipment from the owner of the place where you are staying.
\nOxygen suppliers in the UK will only provide oxygen for travel and stays within the UK. If you are travelling abroad then there are many overseas oxygen providers that can fulfil your oxygen requirements and if you are travelling by plane then you need to ensure your airline’s oxygen policy and whether you need to complete any additional documentation for them.
\nFlying with a lung condition
\nMany people believe their lung condition will prevent them from flying, especially if they need oxygen but this is not necessarily true. First, ask your doctor whether you can travel by plane and whether you will need any additional oxygen on the plane.
\nThen contact individual airlines to discuss your requirements and to find out what their policy is for carrying and using oxygen on planes.
\nIf you are planning a long-haul flight and use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to treat the sleep disorder obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), you should consider whether you might need to use your machine during the flight.
\nSome airlines have restrictions on what machines are permitted for use on board and others may require you to fill in a form before you travel.
\nWhen you contact the airline, find out what assistance is available at the airport as well as on the plane and check:
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0the airline\u2019s policy on carrying and using oxygen and medical devices such as CPAP machines;
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0the exact length of the flight, and whether delays are likely;
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0the facilities available at the outgoing and incoming airports. These might include assistance to get you from the airport lounge to the departure gate and on to the plane, the use of wheelchairs, and whether oxygen is available at the airport; and
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0how you should confirm your fitness to fly.
\nMedication
\nIf you are on medication then you will need a letter from your doctor confirming that you need the medication, and you should also keep a list of all the medication and doses you take in case you need to get more during your stay. List the proper names, keep all medication in its original packaging and keep it with you in your hand luggage. A doctor\u2019s letter is required for liquid medicines exceeding 100 millilitres that are taken into the aircraft cabin. When given medication abroad, check whether it can be brought back into the UK. If you are in any doubt, declare the medication at customs.
\nPreparation is the key. Plan your trip in advance, think through everything you need, ask as many questions as you can of as many people as possible, then decide what\u2019s best for you.
\nReferences: http:\/\/www.blf.org.uk and http:\/\/www.cancerresearchuk.org\t\t<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There is a myth that if you are on oxygen therapy then your life is effectively over and that it […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5246,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":1,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,98,101,167],"tags":[30,49,54,58,159,252],"class_list":["post-1467","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-portable-oxygen","category-going-on-holiday-with-medical-oxygen","category-traveling-with-medical-oxygen","category-england","tag-portable-concentrators","tag-medical-oxygen","tag-holiday","tag-holiday-and-oxygen","tag-uk","tag-lung-condition"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oxygenworldwide.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1467","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oxygenworldwide.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oxygenworldwide.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oxygenworldwide.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oxygenworldwide.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1467"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.oxygenworldwide.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1467\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5247,"href":"https:\/\/www.oxygenworldwide.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1467\/revisions\/5247"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oxygenworldwide.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5246"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oxygenworldwide.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1467"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oxygenworldwide.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1467"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oxygenworldwide.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1467"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}