Air travel used to be both a formal and a fraught occasion. People would dress up for their flight, and they would have to be weighed together with their luggage so the right amount of fuel could be added, and also to ensure that the plane was not overloaded. Today, it is definitely not a formal occasion, but also, it is no longer all that fraught, with regular travelers thinking nothing of hopping on a flight once or twice a week, or even more. For travelers with medical conditions, there is still an element of worry about flying, as you will need to be thinking about your oxygen supply, and what to do if you need medical care while abroad, and even how you would explain your condition in another language, should that become necessary…
But it is possible to travel with few concerns as long as you prepare well in advance and perhaps use the services of OxygenWorldwide, a company that specializes in helping people with their oxygen travel needs by ensuring a reliable and adequate supply of oxygen to hotel or holiday apartment – and who can also advise you as to the best equipment to use. Let’s have a look at some of the best oxygen equipment for travel, and discuss what else you need to keep in mind, such as your particular condition and how it might change with the move to the destination country, the regulations in that country, and your reasons for traveling.
Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POCs)
A portable oxygen concentrator or POC is a lightweight electronic device – relatively easily portable – that uses the air around you to provide you with the necessary high concentrations of oxygen that you require. The natural atmosphere is around 80% nitrogen and 20% oxygen – and this is usually perfect for our needs. But people with certain medical conditions – emphysema, COPD, lung cancer and so on – sometimes require 80%+ oxygen to ensure their blood is well oxygenated (which helps them stay in good relative health), and that’s where a POC comes into play, filtering out the nitrogen and holding onto high saturations of oxygen that are then stored in the small portable tank, from which the patient can breathe when he or she needs to.
POCs have many advantages, and the main one these days is that they are the only form of portable oxygen that you can take on a plane, being FAA approved. They run on rechargeable batteries, so as long as you start the day with a full charge and remember to take some spares (and the charger) with you, you will never have to be without your required supplementary oxygen. With POCs, there is no need for refills as the device will capture oxygen from the air around you, and – a final advantage – they are very easy to carry and store as they are designed to be used while on the go.
It’s not all plain sailing though: POCs do require electricity and/ or batteries to operate, which means that you must always be careful to carry spare fully charged batteries or to ensure that your accommodation will have a suitable power supply so you can recharge them. Also, POCs can’t deliver a very high flow rate – converting air to oxygen takes some time, so you could demand more than your device is able to supply if you need a very high flow rate.
But when it comes to short trips, air flights, and for use on the go, POCs are your best bet.
Compressed Oxygen Cylinders
These are what most people think of when they hear ‘medical oxygen‘ – tall pre-filled tanks of pressurised oxygen. The advantages of these is that they can deliver a very high flow rate – flow rate is measured in LPM (litres per minute) and medical oxygen starts at 2 LPM and can go as high as 60 or so LPM. The latter is so fast that this is usually delivered in a hospital, from special cylinders which can provide warm (body temperature) oxygen – normal oxygen tanks run cold and this can cause nose bleeds and discomfort at these high levels. Another advantage is that cylinders do not require any power to operate, so you will be able to breathe easily, even during a lengthy power cut or similar.
The downsides of cylinders are easy to spot: they are very bulky and heavy besides. They aren’t allowed on flights either, because of safety concerns, but even if they were, it would be impossible to fit them comfortably alongside a regular seat! You can sometimes travel with empty cylinders, as long as they are properly declared and are put in the hold, but it can almost be too much bother, given how strict airlines are – not to mention the regulations in the destination country! And, of course, they need to be replaced regularly as you use the oxygen, which can be a logistical problem if you are moving around a lot.
They are best for ground-based travel, especially cruise ships or long distance trains where the cylinders can stay in place for your use as you travel from place to place – oxygen resupply can be planned for strategic points along the journey as long as you have your itinerary in good time. This is where companies like OxygenWorldwide comes into its own, arranging for your oxygen to be where you need it, when you need it to be there.
Liquid Oxygen Systems
As it sounds, this is oxygen so compressed that it has become liquid, expanding back into a gas for use with your chosen oxygen device.
The advantages of liquid oxygen gas (LOX) are that you can carry and access more oxygen in a smaller volume and – given how compressed it is – it is suitable for high flow needs. However, again due to its complete compression, LOX needs to be stored with great care, and cannot be transported by plane at all, once again, for health and safety reasons. LOX is also often a controlled substance, with some countries very carefully monitoring and controlling their supplies.
This makes LOX best for longer-term stays, home based recovery abroad (meaning when you have a semi-permanent base in your destination country, or for delivery to your accommodation. Speak to OxygenWorldwide about your needs and they will advise you as to whether it is feasible to plan on accessing LOX on your trip.
Which is Best for You? As So Often – the Answer all Depends…
If you are flying internationally, you have little choice but to use a POC on the flight. If, in the long term, you need a higher flow rate than can be provided by a POC, you may have to organise liquid oxygen to come to your holiday destination accommodation. If you’re hoping to be out and about a lot, while still having good access to your oxygen, a POC is the solution once again. For cruises or multi-country trips (sometimes these are the same!) you may find yourself having to juggle a combination of POC and cylinder (all too often, it is seen as portable oxygen concentrator vs cylinder, rather than portable oxygen concentrator and cylinder!), the latter supplied in country by a local supplier – many of whom have excellent relationships with OxygenWorldwide! If you are planning a lengthy stay during which time you will mainly be staying in one place – housesitting for several months, for example, or a short term (three or six months) work contract, you can opt for cylinder or LOX deliveries to your temporary address, for the duration of your stay. Your best bet is thinking about your personal needs for oxygen, rather than trying to use a generalised travel oxygen solutions comparison like this one: what works for one person may not be suitable for the next!
How OxygenWorldwide Helps You Choose the Right Equipment (And Then Delivers It To You!)
We can help you plan your travel, taking into account your medical needs. We will then coordinate with local suppliers in your destination country, to ensure that the right equipment and the right amount of oxygen arrives on time to the right address, so you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your oxygen will arrive promptly and in the best form for you. We can also provide multi-country coordination for more complex itineraries, if you plan to travel widely and explore neighbouring countries.
Please note, we cannot provide in-flight or airport oxygen, but we can ensure you are covered once you’ve landed and left the airport buildings.
From Europe to the Caribbean, we’ll help you arrive safely—with oxygen waiting when you get there.
Knowing what to expect – and what you can expect in the way of medical oxygen while traveling can help to reduce your anxiety and allow you to plan your trip with a measure of confidence. If you have any doubts about all the options, get in touch with OxygenWorldwide right away – take that first step and contact us today. Our experts will guide you through the process from there, providing information and guidance to give you peace of mind. Submit an enquiry here to find the best oxygen solution for your trip.
