Exploring the World with Medical Oxygen: Yes, It’s Possible!
Janet* always wanted to travel, ever since she was a child reading stories about wonderful places all over the world. But Janet has cystic fibrosis and needs regular home-based oxygen therapy. Her parents have always told her that her life would have to accommodate her illness and that there will be things that she could not do because of it. Maurice* has severe asthma, barely kept in check by his preventer inhaler. He uses oxygen therapy at night to ensure that he is rested. He has given up on his dreams of going on tour with his favourite international rugby team, traveling widely across the southern hemisphere. A working lifetime spent in a textile factory, especially before health and safety legislation was enacted has seen Chris* developing COPD, the management of which requires the near constant supply of high concentrations of oxygen throughout the day and night – Chris's dreams to visit family abroad have been shelved due to this condition.
And these three people are not alone. Many people long to travel but believe that their illness is too serious and that managing it will be too much bother to be worth trying.
But, this is not true at all. Yes, there is a bit more to do logistically, and you will have to start planning your holiday or tour early on in the process and be very thorough with it – but traveling with medical oxygen is possible and you can have a great time away from home, even while relying on your oxygen supply while traveling to keep you happy and healthy to enjoy it all.
You may be thinking, 'Hey? But I need oxygen all the time! I can't go on a plane without my supplementary oxygen and it's a hazardous chemical, it's banned!' And this is broadly true – many airlines do not allow any oxygen cylinders to be brought along with them, and there seems to be a hard and fast agreement on this. However, digging a little deeper, into the various international travel authorities shows that there is some leeway when it comes to flying with oxygen: the TSA, known for being incredibly strict, says the following: 'Personal oxygen is permitted if the regulatory valve has not been tampered with or removed. Unless being used for personal medical oxygen, the gas cylinder regulator valve must be completely disconnected from the cylinder (in other words, the cylinder has an open end that allows the TSA officer to visually inspect the cylinder)' [per https://www.tsa.gov/ emphasis the writer's own].
As well as this tiny offer of some medical oxygen cylinders being permitted on board flights – and do check with your chosen airline well in advance and make sure you meet all their requirements and have confirmations from them before you head to the airport.
So much for the flight – what about accessing portable medical oxygen while you are abroad, potentially facing language and culture barriers as well as treatment differences and their associated costs? This is where companies like OxygenWorldwide can help you. Working with a huge array of local partners in countries all over the world, they will help ensure your oxygen supply while traveling, delivering it where it is needed, when it is needed – they will even meet you right off the plane, if that's what you need.
Let's have a look at how to travel with oxygen and how OxygenWorldwide can help you realise your dreams of touring the world.
Can You Travel with Medical Oxygen? Absolutely!
As we have seen from the section above, talking about how restrictive traveling with medical oxygen can be, it is easy to assume that other methods of travel, and indeed places like Airbnb rooms, hotels, self-contained flats and more, must have similar restrictions and be unwilling to take on the responsibility of having an unwell person staying with them. But this is not the case at all. Many people travel with medical conditions that require some form of allowances to be made, including their use of medical oxygen: from athletes like Serena Williams, Michael Phelps, Christiano Ronaldo and Tiger Woods, to stars like Lady Gaga, Billy Joel and Keith Urban – all have used portable oxygen to heal from injuries faster, to sleep better and more restfully, and to maintain their good looks and high energy levels.
Any time you need to invest in oxygen for travel, you will have to check with your airline about what forms of oxygen therapy you can take and use on board the plane – and it is mainly planes that have restrictions on oxygen, due to the fact that flying happens at altitude, which can affect the way oxygen cylinders behave. Most airlines are sanguine about oxygen concentrators, which do not have any compressed oxygen at all, instead using the air around you to filter out the high proportion of nitrogen and leaving nearly pure oxygen for your use while onboard so if you have any doubts, that might be the way to go. Other options include oxygen cylinders (usually a hard no on flights) and liquid oxygen (or LOX) tanks which are a useful solution for regular oxygen users who need to be out and about for a lot of the day.
Other forms of public transport tend to allow traveling with oxygen as long as the equipment and cylinder do not take up too much space and encroach on other passengers' comfort and safety. But, as always, it is worth calling ahead and making sure – it is better to ask and not need to have done so than the alternative.
Planning Ahead: The Key to a Smooth Trip
As mentioned in the introduction, you must plan ahead if you're looking to sort out your oxygen supply while traveling. This is simply to allow your chosen supplier – someone like OxygenWorldwide – the time they need to source oxygen from their contacts on the ground and arrange for deliveries to be made at the times and places that suit you. Once you make contact, with your planned itinerary, OxygenWorldwide will spring into action and ensure that all your needs are seamlessly met.
If you have never traveled while needing oxygen before, there are some key steps you should be aware of.
- Consult your doctor about your proposed visits, ask if there are any special precautions you should take, and ask for a medical certificate stating that your need for oxygen while traveling is genuine.
- Plan which equipment you will take with you, which you will need access to while staying abroad and plan out how you will get about during the day. Knowing your own oxygen needs will help you choose the right equipment to enhance your journey and keep you breathing comfortably as you travel.
- Consult the operators of your preferred method of travel, and using their policies and regulations as a guideline, plan your oxygen delivery accordingly.
- Make sure you involve OxygenWorldwide as early in the process as possible: not only can they take care of a lot of the logistical issues on your behalf, but with a long timeframe in which to work, they can ensure that your oxygen needs are met effortlessly – making it so easy that will you'll wonder why you haven't travelled before!
Traveling by Air, Land, and Sea with Oxygen
If you're not sure of how to find the information you need – and sometimes websites can have the relevant bits of information tucked away deep in the FAQs or even in the lengthy terms and conditions – you can always phone or email the airline and ask what their in-flight oxygen policies are, and whether they offer in-flight oxygen services to passengers who need it. The same applies to ferries, international trains, and even coach travel: in every case, usually just asking the question will be enough to get you the answers you need.
Flying with Oxygen
Some airlines do offer onboard oxygen for people who have proven that they need it. Once again, you will have to ask specific questions of your chosen airline to find out if they are one, or if you will have to source a portable oxygen concentrator to take with you for the duration of the flight. Your doctor will be able to organise a hypoxic challenge test, which exposes you to similar oxygen saturations that you will experience onboard the plane, to see how your body reacts to a pressurised cabin atmosphere. This is simulated by use of 15% oxygen concentration, somewhat lower than the air on ground level.
Taking a Train or Cruise
While the requirements of cruise and train operators are less stringent than airlines, you should still take steps to inform the operator of your oxygen needs and specifically ask if it is all right to carry along your portable oxygen equipment. By making sure that you are open and honest about your medical needs well in advance of your voyage, you will give the transport company maximum opportunity to help your travel plans go well. On long train journeys or cruises, you can speak to OxygenWorldwide to ensure that your replacement oxygen cylinders or tanks are waiting for you when needed, at strategic points of call. Liaising between the transport company and OxygenWorldwide sounds tricky – but it is something that OxygenWorldwide is well experienced with.
Oxygen Delivery at Your Destination
And, of course, OxygenWorldwide can also deliver oxygen to your end destination at intervals that best suit your needs. Their international network of medical oxygen suppliers understand the importance of meeting your needs, and can meet you at your hotel room, rental property, cruise port or even airline arrivals gate – wherever you need them to be, OxygenWorldwide will ensure that they are ready and waiting for you.
And should something go awry, OxygenWorldwide have an emergency phone line that is monitored around the clock, with operatives trained in helping smooth out any travel bumps that might unexpectedly crop up. If this all sounds almost too good to be true, why not put it to the test and call or message OxygenWorldwide now? You might be very pleasantly surprised that you too can travel with relative freedom, even while reliant on medical oxygen.
*Not their real names, composite characters from various case studies
5 Myths About Travelling with Medical Oxygen (And the Truth You Should Know)
Air travel has become more restrictive with the increased burden of safety, of late, and as well as needing to prove one's identity, check in hours ahead of flight times and be ready to pop our shoes off on demand, there are also stringent restrictions on what goods can be carried on a plane, whether in the hold or in the cabin. For most people, this is a minor inconvenience or extra expense, but for people who rely on oxygen for their good health and fitness, the thought of having their medical oxygen confiscated on boarding or even not being allowed to fly due to their illness, can be a daunting thought indeed.
But you don't need to fret over the horror stories and exaggerations that you might have heard about travelling while unwell – travelling with medical oxygen can be safe and manageable, with just a little forethought and planning, especially with the help of OxygenWorldwide, a trusted resource for seamless delivery no matter where in the world you are. Let's debunk some of these oxygen travel myths in favour of the truth of the matter.
Myth No. 1: Travelling with Medical Oxygen is Too Complicated
Myth: Going abroad when you need oxygen is too hard. You have to get letters from your doctor, consult the authorities and apply for all sorts of bureaucratic allowances and exceptions – it's just not worth it!
Truth: Flying with oxygen can be complicated, but it really doesn't have to be. Yes, you will have to plan your visit with some care, but you can get in touch with OxygenWorldwide, let them know your travel dates, and which country or countries you will be travelling through or to, and then you can sit back and relax, knowing that your supplemental oxygen will be ready and waiting in your chosen destination when you need it.
You can reach out to OxygenWorldwide by filling in their online form with the details of your oxygen needs, and they will send you a quotation for the service. They will also let you know if there are any regions that they cannot cover – but this is very rare as OxygenWorldwide has contacts with oxygen suppliers in most countries in the world. The company can arrange for a representative to be waiting to greet you with your cylinders as you step off the plane, or they can deliver to your hotel room or Airbnb – just let them know your oxygen travel needs!
Myth No. 2: You Can't Fly with Medical Oxygen
Myth: Flying with oxygen cylinders on board is deemed a hazardous item by some airlines, who insist that you will have to use a portable oxygen concentrator while onboard to keep your O2 levels where they should be, rather than your trusty cylinder of LOX. The air consists of a mix of roughly 80% nitrogen to 20% oxygen, which is fine for healthy people. However, people suffering from a range of respiratory or lung diseases need oxygen in much higher concentrations – well up in the 90s. Concentrators draw in air and separate out and collect the oxygen. This helps you to maintain your high oxygen levels without the need for a separate oxygen tank.
Truth: But the truth is that you are not forced into using only an oxygen concentrator while on board your flight. Yes, there is some legislation and bureaucracy to work through, but you can take your medical oxygen on a plane as long as you have filled in the right forms and informed the right people about your needs and your itinerary.
OxygenWorldwide can help here too – they are experienced at dealing with airlines and can guide you as to your various options and can ensure that you are compliant with each airline's rules, supplying oxygen and concentrators as appropriate and as needed.
Myth No. 3: Oxygen Equipment is Too Bulky for Travel
Myth: Patients can worry that their oxygen cylinders and concentrators are bulky, heavy, and generally too difficult to travel with. They are concerned that they will take up more space than is fair and can often curtail their own travel dreams without ever expressing their wishes.
Truth: While it is true that some oxygen cylinders are large, heavy, and bulky, there are also those that are small and light, easy enough to carry or wheel along, taking up no more space than a large handbag or backpack. The larger cylinders tend to be designed for long-term use (over many hours, such as during a night's sleep, for example) while the smaller ones are ideal for four or five hours or so – just long enough to enjoy a day trip, theatre visit or excursion. Concentrators are similarly compact and can easily be carried and used on a plane – even in the ungenerously sized seats that planes tend to have fitted these days!
Mention your specific needs to OxygenWorldwide and they will detail all the available options, from something light and portable for your flight to a large and sturdy cylinder for nighttime use – no matter your needs, OxygenWorldwide can fulfil your order. And if your plans change in real time, you can use OxygenWorldwide's emergency number to adjust your oxygen order, so your travel plans are not disrupted any more than is absolutely necessary.
Myth No. 4: Oxygen Isn't Available Abroad
Myth: There is a persistent rumour that oxygen is not available in other countries, especially those that are developing. The fear is that you will assume that you can find a supply of portable oxygen once you arrive at your destination country, but then find that your assumption was faulty, leaving you without your supplemental oxygen and at risk of being fatigued and breathless while trying to enjoy yourself on holiday.
Truth: In fact, OxygenWorldwide has close links with an enormous range of oxygen suppliers in many countries all around the world. They collaborate closely with these local suppliers to ensure that the needs of their customers are met. Over the years, OxygenWorldwide has built up a network of dependable suppliers who value the arrangement and take pride in meeting all oxygen travel demands promptly and efficiently.
OxygenWorldwide provides supplies for people in countries as diverse as the USA – even servicing Disneyworld in Orlando, Croatia, Spain, and Turkey, to name just some of the most popular destinations.
Myth No. 5: Medical Oxygen is Only for Serious Illnesses
Myth: It's a common assumption that once you need portable oxygen, that you must be very ill and will require an oxygen tank near at hand for the rest of your life. These needs can range from enormous static tanks (such as those used by hospitals and care homes) to small, portable cylinders and concentrators that mean that it's possible to stay mobile while keeping your O2 stats up.
Truth: A great number of conditions can require the use of oxygen, and many of them are temporary. Portable oxygen can be used in the short term to help you heal from operations, respiratory infections, or viruses, or even to alleviate symptoms so you are more comfortable as you recover from diseases such as cancer or Covid-19. Sometimes you might even need temporary oxygen to help you mitigate the stresses of travel – pressurised air cabins can cause discomfort and fatigue, for example. Oxygen therapy can ensure that you remain healthy and comfortable during your voyage.
It doesn't matter if you need oxygen all the time, for only a short while, or even just while travelling: when you have effortless access to the supplies you need, travelling is easier, you are more comfortable and your sleep is more restful – so don't hesitate to express your needs when you're planning your journey whether you have a respiratory virus, asthma, bronchitis or something longer-term like heart failure or cystic fibrosis. Your needs can be met, and you can enjoy travelling the world!
So, you can see how these myths start up – they tend to be a mixture of some truth with a lot of invention, often told to manage the expectations of patients who rely on long-term medical interventions. But the exaggerations are often fairly easily debunked – travelling with medical oxygen is not only perfectly possible, but it can be stress-free too, if you have the right support. And Oxygen Worldwide has exactly that support structure in place – consult them now for some expert advice and access to seamless oxygen delivery solutions that will meet all your needs.
The Importance of Reliable Oxygen Supply Networks Worldwide
Chronic illness can disrupt lives, but modern medicine has a number of treatments and medications that can reverse or ease symptoms or make otherwise make life easier for sufferers. There are some conditions that require regular access to an oxygen supply – ailments like COPD, severe asthma, pulmonary hypertension and heart failure, among others are treated in this way – and while the patients are healthier and happier, sometimes the need for oxygen to be available around the clock can mean that they cut down on their time out of the home, for work, leisure and on holiday – no one who relies on oxygen can take a chance on not being able to breathe easily, especially if a shortage of oxygen could cause a relapse or worsening symptoms. But with a reliable oxygen supply network, everyone can travel as far and wide as they desire without risking their already fragile health. All that is needed is some forethought and careful planning – and a contract with OxygenWorldwide to seamlessly and effortlessly keep your oxygen supply flowing well, using local suppliers and contractors!
Let's have a quick look at the importance of reliable oxygen supply networks worldwide and how they can help you in your endeavours.
Why Reliable Oxygen Supply Networks are Essential
The body needs oxygen to function correctly: every part of your body uses oxygen to operate effectively. For healthy people, blood oxygen ranges from 98% to 100% oxygen saturation, which means that red blood cells are working effectively and accurately. All the above-mentioned illnesses (and others) affect the supply of oxygen to the body via the lungs, or they affect the way the blood cells deliver the oxygen to the body's cells and tissues, where it is needed. If blood saturation drops below 89%, you will begin to feel unwell and symptoms will present themselves: symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath and low mood, all of which can make you feel unwell. And 'behind the scenes' so to speak, your body will be suffering the consequences of low blood-oxygenation levels, putting more strain on your heart and lungs, reducing your ability to use your body effectively (simply going up stairs, for example, can feel horrendously difficult, and make you breathless and exhausted for hours afterwards).
Using portable oxygen helps you to redress this imbalance, and can instantly restore your good humour, ease your breathing and enable your body to use energy more circumspectly, so you feel mentally sharper and noticeably less fatigued. You can also go on holiday, travelling to the destinations of your dreams, having previously established a supply network to meet all your portable oxygen travel needs.
By signing up with OxygenWorldwide, you not only ensure a regular and steady supply of oxygen to be ready and waiting for you when you need it, but you also have access to a 24/7 emergency line that can help if you have a sudden medical crisis that means that your needs for oxygen are increased, or even if your travel plans change and you have to divert to a different part of the country – or even an entirely different country. OxygenWorldwide has take care of your needs for oxygen supply globally, with contacts and representatives in many countries all over the globe – do make sure that we service the country to which you are travelling, especially if it is likely to be a niche destination or one with frequent traffic disruptions which could, if not taken into account, could interfere with the logistics of travelling with medical oxygen.
Keep the emergency line phone number handy and if anything – anything at all – occurs that might affect your need for oxygen, call in and explain what's going on. It is better by far to have a backup worldwide oxygen supply on call and never need it, than it is to not have it and really wish you did. Also make sure that your travelling companions know what they must do to help you out, should your medical emergency be so serious that you are unable to advocate for yourself – again, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, as the old saying goes!
How Oxygen Supply Networks Operate
OxygenWorldwide networks widely throughout the world with other portable oxygen suppliers, using these contacts to source the oxygen customers need in the place that it is needed. Because the company fully understands just how essential it is to have travel oxygen in place exactly when it is needed, they pay careful attention to the details when it comes to logistics (do they have the right type of oxygen delivery device, in the correct sizes and will it all be delivered on time, and topped up as per the customers' requests?).
OxygenWorldwide coordinates the supply of medical oxygen with the needs of the customer, for the entire duration of the visit: from meeting passengers off the place with a fresh cylinder, to ensuring that the right equipment is delivered to the hotel bedroom, and dealing promptly and unhesitatingly with any emergencies or extra requirements that might arise such as when life tosses a curveball into play.
Clients can enjoy the use of liquid oxygen in cylinders of a size appropriate to their needs: ranging from small, very portable bottles which are ideal for day trips or walking tours of city, being not very heavy and holding enough oxygen for a couple of hours use; to bigger heavier cylinders, designed to stay in place (for example in the hotel room, overnight) and deliver high flows of oxygen to ensure the intrepid traveller is fit and rested for their adventures abroad. Clients can also ask for oxygen concentrators which are devices that transform the air around us – usually running at about 30% oxygen concentration – into pure oxygen (concentrations in the high 90s) for medical use, without the need for multiple heavy cylinders around. (NB: a quick notation: breathing too much pure oxygen when it hasn't been prescribed for you is extremely dangerous – never use someone else's oxygen supply or their concentrator without their being a known medical reason for doing so.)
No matter your needs, OxygenWorldwide will use their remarkable oxygen supply network to make the connection between those who have the oxygen supplies and those who need the oxygen to be supplied: and will do so efficiently and seamlessly, so your travels are punctuated by regular deliveries of your oxygen, without you need to stress or chase up the deliveries – once they have been confirmed, you can rest assured that OxygenWorldwide will make it happen for you.
Challenges in Establishing a Reliable Global Network
However, as stated elsewhere in this article, do make sure you do the planning. As an absolute minimum, reach out to OxygenWorldwide as soon as you know where you'll be travelling to and make sure that they have medical oxygen connections in that country. Also check before you travel if you heavily rely on oxygen – some airlines have strict regulations about what oxygen can be brought and/ or used on board, while some countries also have severe penalties for undeclared medical equipment – and just the thought of having vital, life-saving equipment and oxygen confiscated is alarming enough to make sure all the regulations have been assimilated and that the supply of medical oxygen is in reliably in place!
OxygenWorldwide has connections in many countries and can usually ensure your needs will be met, but do get in contact and make sure that your destination is included in the network. By choosing OxygenWorldwide and giving them all your travel plans as soon as you know them, you can rest assured that they will immediately make contact with their local suppliers in your chosen destination, setting up a supply of oxygen to be ready and waiting for you during the times that you will need it. This means that you can arrange your entire vacation oxygen supply in one contract, knowing that you will be looked after from the moment of your arrival (OxygenWorldwide representatives will meet you off your plane, if necessary) to the moment you depart again. And OxygenWorldwide are not limited to arranging your supply in just one country – you can enjoy a lengthy, multi-country tour, secure that your oxygen supply is in place and is ready and waiting for you as you go.
The Role of Technology in Oxygen Supply Networks
The whole process of seamless oxygen supply is made possible thanks to the wonders of modern technology: real-time tracking, GPS sensors, and always-on digital communications means that your progress and that of your oxygen supply can be monitored even as you travel. This ensures smooth deliveries as and when you need them, and you can be reassured that your supply is ready and waiting for you thanks to timely updates at every step in the process.
As mentioned earlier, there is also a constant customer care line for you to get in touch at any time, day or night, should something go awry with your plans. You will be able to make contact and adjust your requirements as and when you need to, with no delays that could potentially see your oxygen supply running low, causing you undue stress and worry. You can get in touch with OxygenWorldwide via the emergency phone number, by email, or by reaching out on the website's 'contact us' tab – you can choose your method of communication to suit your preferences.
Reliable oxygen supply networks are an absolute must if you need supplemental oxygen and need to travel, no matter if it is locally in your own country or all the way across the world, and OxygenWorldwide has the reliable network and close contacts that make seamless supply a reality for hundreds of people every day. OxygenWorldwide is committed to living up to their name, providing dependable oxygen via a wide network of local suppliers – if you need assistance with oxygen anywhere in the world, give OxygenWorldwide a call. You will be pleasantly surprised to find that your complicated oxygen needs can easily be met!
Adapting to Seasonal Changes with Portable Oxygen Solutions
If you've been diagnosed with a long-term respiratory illness, you may need portable oxygen in order to have a good time when you are out exploring the world. However, be aware, especially if you are travelling to countries with different climates, that your oxygen needs may change under these new conditions. Even if you're staying at home, seasonal changes can impact both your health (and therefore your need for supplemental oxygen) and your oxygen supply. In hot, dry weather your oxygen might run out quicker due to higher evaporation, whereas during pollen season you may suffer from allergic responses which increase your need for oxygen. Even humid conditions, which might ease some conditions, can make it harder for people who use portable oxygen: humidity can worse 'stuffiness' and congestion, as well as making it harder for your lungs to properly use the oxygen you are giving it.
Avoid these seasonal peaks and troughs by planning ahead with your portable oxygen solutions. Maintain your well-being throughout the year, and don't forget to take into account any adjustments you have to make to your vacation oxygen needs by checking the climate of the area you will be visiting and arranging a good supply of travel oxygen to be waiting for you in each destination. OxygenWorldwide can help with this – read more about this below.
Seasonal Challenges for Oxygen Users
In winter, we tend to huddle together in warm buses and trains, to stay inside cosy coffee shops and libraries, and viruses like to come along with us too. Colds and flus spread widely in winter for two reasons: firstly, that we are more likely to be in close proximity with others, but secondly because being physically cold weakens our immune system a little, making us more susceptible to letting viruses and bacteria through our defences.
Winter
If you already have one of the many conditions that are treated with the use of portable oxygen (COPD, heart failure, severe asthma, lung diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis and more) your illness might worsen during colder weather. Asthma is a disease that arose from a natural human reaction: in extremely cold weather, breathing in large amounts of freezing air is dangerous, lowering core temperatures to a point of no return, reducing energy and cognitive abilities needed to regain the safety of a warmer place. Therefore, when it is excessively cold, the airways narrow, forcing the ingress of air to slow down and thus giving it time to warm up enough before it reaches the lungs. Smoke and pollution can have the same effect, as the body tries to minimise the quantity of contaminants in the body. Asthma is what happens when this reaction happens without being necessary, shortening the breath and depriving the body of vital oxygen.
Summer
High humidity makes it feel as though there is not enough air to breath (and it is true that the moisture occupies space that would otherwise be occupied by the oxygen and nitrogen mix we live on) and cause you to need extra oxygen to be comfortable. High temperatures are draining too; tiring you out and making all but the smallest movements a real effort. High pollen levels too are a known problem even for people who do not need oxygen tanks, causing allergic reactions, hay fever and sinusitis, and they can cause severe relapses in patients with severe ailments of the types mentioned above.
Spring and Autumn (or Fall)
These seasons are arguably the best for people with respiratory illnesses, neither too hot nor too cold, and falling after the worst of the pollen but before viruses can spread widely. However, the very changeability of these seasons can be problematic as you then have to deal with large sudden temperature fluctuations. It is also a time when fields are ploughed, fertilizers are sprayed, and controlled burns are undertaken as fertile farms slow down for winter or begin to awaken ready for planting.
If you are planning a holiday overseas, make sure you do some research into what the weather will be like while you are there, and plan your oxygen needs accordingly, just as you tailor them for the seasons at home.
Benefits of Portable Oxygen Solutions
By using OxygenWorldwide, you can enjoy an uninterrupted supply of oxygen at your chosen location whenever you need it, at home or away. Invest a little bit of time to understanding your own oxygen needs, and then place your order, adapting it as it becomes necessary, to have the full flexibility and mobility you need. You will be able to come and go with the rest of your party, comfortable and breathing well, even as you enjoy seeing the sights, dining out, or exploring wonderful landmarks. If you are an existing customer, you can order oxygen for travel, letting us know your itinerary so that we can deliver the oxygen you need at an appropriate time for you to benefit from it. You can enjoy enhanced independence, no matter if you are away from home, or simply transiting from one season to the next.
Choosing the Right Portable Oxygen Equipment
Portable oxygen concentrators are handy gadgets that use the air around you to provide the high concentration of oxygen that you need. The natural air contains around 20% oxygen, but people who rely on supplemental oxygen require concentrations up in the 90s. Concentrators filter out the other elements, retaining only the oxygen, so that you always have a good supply, no matter where you are. The equipment is only modestly bulky – approximately the equivalent of a small backpack in size and weight – and can be taken into most places and on many forms of public transport. Having said that, do check with your chosen airline that you will be allowed to take your personal oxygen concentrator on your flight – there are different rules between the various airlines and countries also have their own regulations.
An oxygen cylinder is what most people think of when they think of 'portable oxygen'. These narrow, longish tubes are surprisingly heavy for their size, but can contain a good amount of compressed oxygen, so you can enjoy an entire holiday on just one cylinder of oxygen abroad.
Liquid oxygen is, as it sounds, a liquid form of oxygen. It is the product stored inside cylinders and – due to its ready compressibility – it is the ideal product for people who need high volumes of oxygen (6 litres of oxygen per minute or more) as each cylinder can last a long time.
When you are choosing your portable oxygen equipment, consider all the variables before choosing the one that will become a close companion to you: think about the battery life, and how and where you will charge it or change the batteries; how easily portable it is (and here, do make sure that you have made sure that your oxygen needs will be met before looking at any other specifications – it will not be a good holiday if you are turning blue and losing energy with every minute that passes. Consider how easy the equipment is to carry and use. If your disease has weakened you, think about a wheeled trolley for your oxygen cylinder instead of risking injury to yourself. Finally, make sure you come up with some contingency plans: if there is the chance of a power cut or even the cold causing your battery to run down more quickly than you realized, what will you do?
What you can do, if you're using OxygenWorldwide for your oxygen supply, is to give us a call. Our helpline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and we can arrange for extra supplies to be delivered to you as a matter of urgency, should the need arise. If you are not yet with OxygenWorldwide, work through the Oxygen request form, filling in all your key information (including how much oxygen for travel or for everyday use you need and how often, where you will be travelling and when) and see how perfectly we can meet your needs.
Tips for Managing Oxygen Use in Different Seasons
Winter
- Prevent your equipment from freezing by keeping spare tanks in a warm part of the house, or fitting an insulating cover to your cylinder to stave off the worst of the cold.
- Fit a moisture trap to your in-use cylinder, so that any condensation is safely trapped away from the working parts that you need to be free to deliver oxygen to your lungs.
- Look after yourself at this time too, make sure you bundle up well, when leaving the house so you stay warm and comfortable, which will help keep you as healthy as possible.
Summer
- Bear in mind that using oxygen can be quite drying, so as well as investing in a good quality lip balm, make sure you stay hydrated, sipping water regularly throughout the day and upping your intake when it is hot.
- Be mindful of your equipment, just as in winter, making sure it is not in direct sunlight as this can cause it to leak and/ or overheat.
- If you can, navigate your way from one air-conditioned or temperature-controlled venue to another.
Allergy Season
- Allergies can pop up at any time, but they are most prevalent when plants are pollinating, when farmers are spraying their fields and when there is a lot of smoke and pollution in the air – this is seasonal, but will vary slightly with each location.
- Prepare yourself by investing in good-quality air purifiers especially for your bedroom, try to avoid the worst exposure to allergens – sometimes simply keeping the windows closed can make an enormous difference – and keep your equipment clean and well-dusted. Pollen spores are tiny and can settle everywhere, including into your face mask should you not need to wear it all the time.
Travelling with Portable Oxygen Across the Seasons
Whenever you are booking a holiday, try to do so well in advance as your need for supplemental oxygen must be catered for before you set foot on the plane. However, also consider what the seasons will be at the time you are going to travel. The northern and southern hemispheres have seasons that are opposite to each other, and the seasons change roughly every three months or so. So, travelling to Australia in December, for example, from London, can see you swap cold, rainy and icy conditions for roastingly hot and dry weather – and you must try to work out if, sticking with the example, Australia's exceptional heat will mean that you need more oxygen, or if you will get by with a little less than usual…
As a rule of thumb, it is better to have access to more oxygen than you need, and you can also phone the 24/7 emergency number to tweak your supply if you need to. If in doubt, ask our experts who are accustomed to dealing with oxygen supplies all over the world.
So, if you're planning a vacation any time soon, or even if you are new to needing an oxygen tank, make sure you're prepared for seasonal changes to affect your needs by setting up a reliable portable oxygen solution that is tailored to you.
If you have any questions or doubts, get in touch and consult OxygenWorldwide to see what solutions are available for your specific needs.
Your Guide to Seamless Oxygen Delivery While Traveling Abroad
You may think of holidays as being only for people who enjoy good health or who can easily carry with them their supply of medication to keep their heartburn under control, their blood pressure nice and low, or even their blood sugars within an optimal range in the case of diabetics. But people do live long lives with serious chronic diseases, such as COPD, severe asthma, heart failure (which is not, as the name implies, an event, but rather a lengthy and slow decline, which can, these days, be very well managed for the most part) or cystic fibrosis which is often managed using oxygen therapy: as are most of these conditions. Awareness is growing that these people want to live full and happy lives in which they take part in activities, visit important sites and landmarks and, of course, go on holiday. But you cannot simply dash off on a whim when your life depends on your access to oxygen tanks. Not only is it unlikely that you would be able to simply transport your oxygen tanks without prebooking them in, but you are also highly unlikely to be able to find new supplies should something go awry when you travel.
And people with all the conditions named above, among many others, do need their oxygen to be ready and available as soon as it is needed – and this need can be exacerbated by flying and being subjected pressurised cabins with (potentially) lower oxygen levels – this is fine for perfectly healthy people, but can worsen COPD and other respiratory illnesses. Informing the airline of your needs before you travel can get you access to the aeroplane's oxygen supply and you can be provided with the supplementary air you require, but this still doesn't help you once you've landed and are trying to get to grips with a new country, and all that comes with it (different language, different weather, different customs and regulations, different food and so on) and begin to run out of whatever oxygen supplies you have been given to tide you over with no idea of where to source more, and how to ask for it should you find the right place!
This is where OxygenWorldwide comes into its own, helping travellers in need of oxygen receive the supplies they need in a timely and reliable manner. Let's have a look at how you can get started with accessing oxygen abroad.
Plan Ahead
This is crucial if you are to receive the supplies you need as and when you need them.
Firstly, book your holiday months in advance of you actually travelling if this will be your first holiday abroad. Learning all the ins and outs of modern travel is hard enough without doing it in a rush and trying to organise a supply of oxygen tanks to tie into each destination on your way! Consult your doctor too, letting them know where you are going, for how long, and ask them questions about whether any vaccines are needed, and if so what for, how long before you travel you should get them done, and if there will be any side effects. You should also consult them on your oxygen supplies while you are away: how much will you need, how big or bulky is the container, and is it possible to get smaller oxygen tanks for discreet use while on coach tours or other excursions.
Ask your doctor and also do your own research about what medical letters or prescriptions you need to take with you – make sure you have legal paperwork to back up your medications and oxygen. It is not worth risking your life or your health by having your vitally needed belongings confiscated by an over-zealous border official.
Understand Your Oxygen Options
You can take advantage of a series of innovations in the world of oxygen therapy to mix and match your travel oxygen equipment to meet your differing needs, depending on what you are doing at the time: from chilling in your hotel room or lounging on the beach to exploring the destination country by bus or train or even wandering around museums and art galleries. Let's have a look at what is available when it comes to oxygen for travel
- Medical Liquid Oxygen (LOX): come with a portable tank and what is called a 'flask'. In essence, you fill the flask from the tank, and you're good to do for as long as that supply lasts. Do remember to allow for refilling time, if needed, and don't go out with just the flask – the oxygen tank is designed for use as holiday oxygen and is readily portable in a specially designed carrier. Some airlines and other public transport will allow the use of these devices by passengers, but make sure you check before you buy your ticket!
- Concentrators: An oxygen concentrator is an ingenious device that lets you convert the air all around you from about 20% oxygen to pure oxygen (running at about 90 to 95% pure). They work by filtering air particles, trapping the larger nitrogen particles and only allowing the tiny oxygen particles to enter the oxygen concentrator, where they are stored until you need them. Concentrators come in two types: large, static versions, or smaller portable options, the latter of which are battery fuelled, so you can get out and about without becoming distressed or short of breath.
- Cylinders: Carrying an immense amount of pressurised oxygen, oxygen cylinders are a popular choice for travellers who rely on having a good amount of oxygen at their disposal: for example, overnight. Cylinders can be huge, running up to 4,300 litres of oxygen (although these are usually found in a medical establishment rather than a private home. Most personal use oxygen cylinders hold about 570 litres of oxygen. Once you know your itinerary, you can arrange to have cylinders to be delivered and collected once used at each of the destinations along the way so that you will always be able to access oxygen when you need it.
- Small Cylinders: As the name suggests, these are just like the bigger versions, just… smaller. These smaller cylinders are ideal for travellers as they are much easier to carry about, store on public transport and generally are more discreet to use while out and about. The very smallest cylinders hold enough oxygen for a couple of hours, depending on how much you use, making them ideal for short visits to, for example, a restaurant or the cinema.
- CPAP Machines and Other Support Devices: These machines are all quite similar to oxygen concentrators in that they capture the air around you and pressurise it slightly to provide continuous airflow into your lungs. Many of these are readily accepted on air flights and in hotel rooms, but it is possibly easier to arrange to have a machine delivered to your hotel room on the day that you arrive so your vacation oxygen is ready and waiting for you on arrival.
Oxygen Delivery at Your Destination
As stated above, you should begin planning for your supply of holiday oxygen as soon as you decide to travel, and this includes using OxygenWorldwide for all your vacation oxygen needs. Let us know when you will be travelling and how much oxygen you require. Bear in mind, however, that we cannot refill third-party oxygen containers. But, saving that, we can deliver oxygen worldwide, as our name proudly suggests – but we do need plenty of notice to be sure of setting up the supply line in good time for your arrival. And we can meet you right off the plane, if that is what you need us to do. If you want to travel to multiple destinations – a sort of grand tour – that is absolutely fine too: simply let us know all your travel arrangements and we will work out the logistics to keep you supplied with the oxygen you need.
FAQs
How much will this cost me?
We cannot give a 'ballpark' estimate for your supply of oxygen. Contact us and we will provide a free quotation tailored to your personal needs.
What happens if something goes wrong, especially at night on a weekend?
Don't worry. We have an emergency telephone line that is monitored 24/7: just ring us up whenever you need to and we will leap into action to assist you.
What if I stay on holiday longer, or want to leave early?
Let us know your changed plans as soon as possible, and we will work with you to keep you breathing easily.
To conclude, it is perfectly possible to travel for pleasure with a medical condition that requires the use of oxygen. Using our services will ensure that you can focus on the sights, sounds and souvenirs of your holiday destination, instead of fretting about your supply of essential oxygen: give us a call or drop us an email or use our form and see how well we can tailor our services to your unique needs.
Boost your diet to protect against severe asthma attacks.

Another fantastic article we have to be brought back to our current readers who have sever asthma, here are some great supplements that have been noted to help. Please do check with your doctor before taking as these are just recommendations from various sources.
We are all aware of extra nutrients and vitamins we need. But especially in winter in most European and other countries the sun goes down and we lack a vital Vitamin D. There have been several studies around this helping against severe asthma attacks. Winter is especially difficult due to the cold air and this causes airways to go into spasm.
If you are looking on ways to help please speak to your doctor about taking more Vitamin D during this winter to help ease the symptoms. Even for those who do not suffer from asthma attacks can have benefits of this vitamin as we lack the goodness of the sun. This can even simply be feeling more energised during those cold winter months and what our bodies need more of.
Take a look at our website for more resources and help with those needing medical oxygen here.
Best Winter Trip 2022

- Iceland – A great island in winter, beautiful scenery.
- Madeira – A wonderful landscape.
- Andalucia – Amazing for Winter.
- Sicily – Small island but so much to see.
- United Kingdom – London, Edinburgh, Bath - great historical cities.
- Germany – So picturesque.
- Cyprus – For those looking for warmer winter holidays.
For all your medical oxygen needs please do send your desired destination and oxygen needs to our expert team simply online here or call us.
COPD and oxygen therapy

Another article from the archives but an important one.
Many people with COPD need supplemental oxygen therapy. Unfortunately, some people who use portable oxygen are wary of travelling with oxygen.
So they opt to stay at home instead of going out to see friends, shop, or enjoy a vacation. But oxygen therapy can actually enhance your physical ability to go places and do things that the advance stage of COPD was keeping you from doing. Once you’ve learned what’s involved, you may find that oxygen gives you more freedom to go places and do things you want to do.
If you don’t use one already, you’ll need to switch to a portable oxygen delivery system for trips away from home. Portable oxygen concentrators (POCs), hold compressed oxygen in small tanks. Most POC tanks come with carrying cases and travel carts. These are excellent for using in airports or simply going sightseeing.
Contacto OxygenWorldwide – experts for over 20 years when travelling away from home. Our team of experts can help arrange all the necessary oxygen and POC’s during your holidays to help you and your loved ones have more freedom.
List of airlines that allow portable oxygen

Always check before booking your flight as details and policies may change. These airlines have allowed portable oxygen concentrators you can reach out to their websites for further information and to confirm their conditions.
Aegean Airlines
Aer Lingus
Air Canada
Air China
Air France
Air Iceland
Air New Zealand
Air Malta
Air Tahiti Nui
Airtran Airways
Alaska Airlines
American Airlines
Alitalia
All Nippon Airways
Allegiant Air
American Airlines
Avianca Airlines
British Airways
China Southern Airlines
Continental Airlines
Delta
EasyJet
Emirates
Frontier
Hawaiian Airlines
Iberia
Icelandair
Japanese Airlines
Jet Blue
KLM
Lufthansa
Mango
Qantas
Ryanair
Singapore Airlines
South African Airways
Southwest
Sun Country
Swiss Air Lines
Turkish Airlines
United Airlines
US Airways
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Australia
WestJet Airlines
Also refer to our website here for countries we can deliver oxygen to once at your destination.
10 more countries that have dropped or lowered COVID restrictions...

Here find countries that have dropped all or most of their local Covid-19 restrictions.
- Malaysia
- Belize
- Slovakia
- Czech Republic
- Jamaica
- Argentina
- Poland
- Denmark
- Sweden
- Romania
Plan you trip in advance as possible, Contact our team with your medical oxygen requirements and pack your bags ready for an adventure!