Choosing the right setup for your trip (even for your regular life) is vital. Many people, especially travellers, might thing that ‘oxygen is oxygen’, but it is not a ‘one size fits all’ medical solution. The right setup – involving the right quantities of oxygen, delivered via the equipment – can make all the difference between a smooth and enjoyable trip and one plagued by constant stress. When making the decision about what oxygen equipment to use, bear in mind that the best oxygen equipment for travel is not chosen by how much you pay, or even what is the ‘best’ or ‘most cutting edge’ equipment on the market, but rather by what most suitably meets your needs, according to the prescription your doctor has issued you, your required flow rate and how long your trip will be.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at portable oxygen concentrator vs cylinders vs LOX, comparing the various options in clear easy-to-read language. Grounded in real travel scenarios, the following information will help you to make good decisions about your upcoming trip. And we will all look at how OxygenWorldwide can be there, waiting in the background in the event that something goes awry and you need some moral support or practical help while you’re away. Without further ado, let’s have a look at the OxygenWorldwide oxygen equipment comparison.
The Prescription Comes First
You must have an up-to-date, valid prescription for medical oxygen before you travel – no equipment decision can be made without it. If your prescription has been in place for some time, consult your travel agent and your doctor about having the prescription assessed for suitability, and get a new prescription drawn up if necessary. You may also need a doctor’s letter confirming that the prescription is relevant and for what condition it has been prescribed.
When it comes to choosing oxygen equipment for holidays, various factors must be taken into account: your flow rate in litres per minute is probably one of the most important as it can make the difference between cylinder sizes, whether you should opt for LOX or not, and whether you need pulse or continuous flow. Briefly, the three types of equipment are:
- POCs or Portable Oxygen Concentrators – readily portable, battery operated, these devices filter nitrogen from the air around you, leaving you with a good, short-term supply of nearly pure oxygen to use
- Cylinders – what people who don’t rely on oxygen assume you mean when you say oxygen therapy: large, flatbottomed, curved top tanks, with tubes running off them
- LOX – liquid oxygen. Tightly compressed, the oxygen takes the form of a bright blue liquid which ‘boils off’ into huge amounts of oxygen. Ideal for high flow rate users, but largely banned for air travel/ transport
Just from glancing at the above summaries, you can see that a person who requires pulsed oxygen at two litres per minute during times of exertion will have different needs to someone requiring four litres of oxygen per minute continuously at all times, including overnight.
Bear in mind when travelling in Europe with an EHIC or GHIC, while emergency care will be covered, pre-existing conditions must be planned for – in short, you must take steps to organise your own oxygen equipment and supply while you are away from home, and you should do this as soon as possible once you’ve decided to travel. But if you are stuck and need to seek medical help while abroad, you must have documented medical proof of your needs with you at all time: read this useful EHIC/GHIC guide for more information.
OxygenWorldwide Oxygen Equipment Comparison
In more detail:
Portable Oxygen Concentrators or POCs
- Are best for flights, short trips, mobility (especially while out and about for the day) and city and weekend breaks
- The advantages are that they are portable, airline-approved (with some exceptions) via the FAA, run on battery, so no trailing wires, and they are relatively discreet
- Disadvantages include being reliant on those batteries, which drain more quickly when you need a higher flow rate, and that not all POCs can deliver continuous flow
- They are ideal for shorter trips – days, perhaps a week or so – rather than longer stays. If used on longer holidays, you should have a backup or only use the POC while out and about during the day
- Here are some travel tips for airline travel guidance regarding POCs
Oxygen Cylinders
- Are best for stationary use in accommodation or overnight, or as the back-up system for a POC, as mentioned above
- The advantages are that they are reliable, easy to use and – for long-term users, at least – a familiar commodity
- Among the disadvantages are the fact that cylinders are not allowed on flights (very occasionally, empty cylinders can be carried in the cargo hold), they are very heavy so not very mobile, and they need frequent refills, all the more so when you have a high flow-rate
- They are ideal for medium-length stays in places where refills can be arranged locally without too much stress
- Ideal for use in tandem with a POC
Liquid Oxygen (LOX)
- Liquid oxygen is best for high-flow users and long-term stays in regions where it is readily available
- The advantages are that it offers a high oxygen concentration, can be used with lightweight cannulas and the tanks will last a great deal longer than a cylinder of comparable size
- Disadvantages include its relative scarcity, and thus the need for a local specialist supplier, and that it is not permitted on airplanes.
- It is ideal for seasonal or expatriate stays in countries like Portugal or Spain and some parts of France
- Click on this contact form to see if your chosen destination has a good supply of LOX
| POCs | Cylinders | LOX Tanks | |
| Best Trip Length | Short stay | Medium stay | Long term, seasonal |
| Best Use | Day trip, excursion, on flights | In hotel, overnight | Rental accommodation, overnight |
| Flow Rate Capacity | Pulse, very limited continuous | Continuous flow (variable rate) | Continuous flow, high rate |
| Air Travel Compatible | Yes (verify with airline) | No (very occasionally empty cylinder can be carried) | No |
| Refill/Delivery Needs | Batteries needed, occasionally wall socket compatible | Fairly frequent refills required | Large capacity, but requires local supplier with LOX refill service |
| Practical Drawbacks | Impractical for long-term high flow use, bulky and/or noisy | Heavy, limited portability, restricted storage in some places | Not always available, fragile tanks, local supplier or network a must |
As you can see, you will be able to mix and match the above equipment to suit your needs and comply with transport and local (for your destination) regulations: taking, for example, a POC for a weekend away, or a POC with a backup or night-time cylinder for a two to three week holiday, and opting for an LOX or stationary concentrator along with a POC for day trips if you’re setting off on a long-term stay abroad, whether it is for work or leisure. Cruises are ideal for cylinder or LOX use with a POC for when you call into port and have a few hours to explore the surroundings. Do check with your cruise line before committing to any system of oxygen delivery!
Check this article to see what OxygenWorldwide has to offer – we are delighted to announce that our services have restarted up in Southampton!
How OxygenWordwide Helps You Choose Wisely
Our employees are well versed in the needs and supply of oxygen delivery to our customers, and we can offer:
- Personalised advice based on your destination and prescription information
- Coordination with suppliers in Europe and beyond (with some caveats, do check with us before you commit to traveling)
- Multilingual support for doctors’ letters and prescription validation (again, do check with us before you commit)
- Emergency backup options in the event that your supply is disrupted
- Fill in this enquiries form so we can help you with the next steps, making your life easier and more stress-free
Getting the right equipment to meet your needs isn’t about spending a lot of money, or having the latest gadgets. Rather, it is about finding the right fit of equipment for your needs to give you peace of mind before, during and after your travels. If you’re new to travelling while needing medical oxygen, don’t subject yourself to the stress of trying to go it alone – get in touch with OxygenWorldwide and gain yourself access to a skilled and knowledgeable partner in the world of travelling with medical oxygen. Contact us today to discuss your specific needs and how we can help you get where you’d like to be.
