This article assists travellers who require medical oxygen to decide on the best option to meet their needs when travelling. Options include using their own portable oxygen concentrator and renting the necessary equipment while abroad. It looks at the logistics of oxygen therapy while on holiday, including reliability of supply, airline regulations, patient comfort and what to think about when choosing holiday accommodation. It also highlights how OxygenWorldwide can coordinate rental oxygen, so travellers can choose the best option for their needs and the duration of their trip.
James was in his living room. He’d just booked a holiday for himself and his wife, Ruth, but right now he was looking at his portable oxygen concentrator.
‘Should I take this with me?’ he mused aloud, ‘Or should I rent oxygen equipment abroad?’
‘Rent,’ said Ruth. ‘Your POC is so bulky!’
‘Yes,’ agreed Jim. ‘But what if I can’t get the flow rate I need from the hired equipment? I don’t want to ruin the holiday by needing to rest every two minutes.’
‘Oh. I don’t know then.’
The couple were at an impasse. They didn’t know which would be their best option. Both methods had pros and cons. Should they travel with medical oxygen by taking along James’s own portable oxygen concentrator, but then have the bulk of the concentrator to deal with, along with concerns about whether the flowrate would be sufficient? Or should they take a chance on being able to rent oxygen equipment for long stay travel while they were abroad? They knew that every person’s experience and needs would be different depending on their destination and the type of travel they were indulging in: but they had no idea how to work out what James needed!
Is there someone we can ask?’ wondered Ruth.
James’s face brightened. ‘Yes!’ he exclaimed. ‘I’ve know of a company called OxygenWorldwide! They’ll help with all my medical oxygen needs, including all the ins and outs of medical oxygen rental for holidays. I’ll sign up right away.’
‘Excellent!’ said Ruth, relieved. ‘Now I can get on with planning our itinerary!’
James smiled and nodded, already filling in the online contact form for OxygenWorldwide.
A Very Common Question
Almost every time a medical oxygen user goes abroad, they must consider this question: take their own equipment or rent equipment abroad? Why is this question asked every time? The answer is both complicated and simple: the simple reason is that oxygen users’ needs change depending on:
- The length of the visit
- How much oxygen is needed by the user
- Which equipment is the most comfortable for the user
- Where in the world the visit will be
- The various rules of the airlines that will be used to travel
With all these points to take into account when thinking about whether to use a cylinder or portable oxygen concentrator for travel, the reason for some confusion at the beginning of every visit becomes much more easy to understand. In fact, if you’re not at least a little confused about your needs for a particular trip, it’s possible you haven’t yet given the matter of oxygen concentrator vs oxygen cylinders travel enough thought!
When to Choose a Portable Oxygen Concentrator
Portable oxygen concentrators or POCs are smallish devices (about the size and shape of a sturdy backpack) which filter nearly pure oxygen from the air around you by removing the nitrogen – the atmosphere consists of around eighty percent nitrogen to twenty percent oxygen. This enables medical oxygen users to be mobile and independent, able to explore a city or go on day-long coach tours without too much stress or fuss. Short stays – weekend city breaks, for example – can also be managed with just a portable oxygen concentrator, as long as it can provide a high enough flowrate for the patient’s needs. When travelling by air, the only medical oxygen device that you can use is a portable oxygen concentrator – any kind of compressed oxygen is strictly forbidden as it becomes even more hazardous at altitude. However you must have the right kind of portable oxygen concentrator for travel by air: most airlines will have a list of the makes and models that are permitted on their flights, so you can be sure of being compliant with their requirements.
Points to remember when deciding on using a portable oxygen concentrator include bearing in mind the battery life of your device. Make a point of carrying spare batteries – fully charged – especially if you are going to be in transit for some time. Always carry batteries that will last for one and a half times the expected duration of your trip to allow for delays and diversions.
If you have high flowrate requirements, for example, for use overnight, be aware that a portable concentrator may not be the best option for night times. Because they filter oxygen out of the air, there is an upper limit to the flowrate the concentrator can produce, so do check the user manual and consult your doctor to make sure your needs can be met. POCs can also be quite noisy in operation, so be mindful of when and where you will be using it and whether it will become disruptive.
Finally, your portable concentrator will be your responsibility when you’re away, and that includes being able to maintain and service the device. Make sure you are familiar with the workings of the concentrator and that you will be able to silence any alarms that sound as well as keep the device in good working order so you can use medical oxygen as you travel.
When to Choose Rental Oxygen at Your Destination
Assuming you are one of those people who need a fairly high flowrate overnight or if you are staying for a longer duration, you might decide to go with renting oxygen equipment at your holiday destination. This will mean that you can use a (bigger, non-portable) concentrator (known as stationary concentrators), as these do offer a higher flowrate. Being plugged into the electric mains means that you are not reliant on batteries, and the larger size of the concentrator can mean that noise absorption can be built-in, resulting in a quieter, more effective oxygen supply.
Once the stationary concentrator is set up, you can relax, knowing that your oxygen supply is ready and waiting for you when you need it – and that allows you to focus on having a good time while abroad, just like Pamela who tried one holiday with a POC.
After spending far too much of her time checking battery levels and hunting about for plug sockets where she could charge up her spare batteries, she was not at all rested and did not feel she had got the most from her time away. The next time she went, with a little help from OxygenWorldwide who took care of all the logistics, working with local suppliers and her accommodation manager, she opted for a stationary concentrator which stayed in her hotel room while she went out and enjoyed exploring the city.
This time, she had a truly wonderful time, sleeping well and waking refreshed, immersing herself in the culture and art of the city, and genuinely enjoying her time away from home. Pamela visited Spain: OxygenWorldwide has very strong links in Spain, Portugal and parts of France, but has an excellent network of suppliers in many countries over the world with whom they coordinate delivery and installation as and when it is needed.
Airline Rules: What You Can and Cannot Do
Most airlines do not allow any kind of stored oxygen to be brought onto an aircraft, and OxygenWorldwide has no power to overrule these strict regulations. Oxygen used on flights must come from portable concentrators, and – as mentioned above – only those POCs on the approved list will be permitted on board. You will need various forms and letters from the airline and your doctors before you will be permitted to bring on board your (approved) POC, so do make sure you know what is needed long before you set off. These can include fitness to fly certificates, proof of your diagnosis, and up-to-date copies of your prescription. Once you land, OxygenWorldwide can then step in and help you with the logistics of your rental oxygen. This may sound daunting, but it is all very manageable with a lot of planning and OxygenWorldwide’s team of experts who can guide you every step of the way.
Think About Your Accommodations – It Makes a Difference!
If you are going to be using your oxygen in your accommodation, relying on having the space to fit an oxygen cylinder and power points near the bed to plug it in, you can already see that there are a number of factors to consider before booking your hotel room. Warn the hotel about your needs, and mention noise if you know your equipment is loud when in operation. They will also need to be made aware when your oxygen equipment is arriving so they can open your room so it is ready and waiting for you. And, of course, they will have to ensure that your room is accessible by lift or on the ground floor so heavy cylinders can be delivered.
Of course, it is not only hotel rooms that you must think about. You may decide to rent a holiday villa or apartment for the duration of your stay. But broadly, similar conditions apply: let your accommodation manager know your needs, alert them as to when the oxygen and equipment will be arriving, and impress on them the need for a reliable supply of electricity and sufficient space to store the equipment and consumables you will need.
Long Trip or Short? Or Some Combination of the Two?
So we have seen that short trips, day excursions, weekend breaks and the like tend to lend themselves well to portable concentrators, while the longer the holiday gets the more likely it is that larger stationary concentrators or oxygen cylinders will be used. But it is also possible to have both: a POC for use during the day while out and about exploring, with larger static equipment waiting for use overnight, which is usually when a higher flowrate is needed. Jim and Ruth, the couple from the beginning of the article, decided on a two-week stay in Portugal and opted for both a POC for day use and a sturdy cylinder for Jim’s night needs. Had their trip been shorter, Jim would have tried to use only a POC – but with OxygenWorldwide’s emergency contact number saved in his phone, he knew he would be able to make adjustments on the fly if that didn’t work out for him.
Common Mistakes to Watch Out For
Just because a POC worked last time, that doesn’t mean that it will be good for the next trip, especially if it is in a hotter country with higher altitudes, where you will be exerting yourself more. You must tailor your oxygen supply to suit each trip, every time you travel.
Always consult your medical team before you book your holiday to ensure that your oxygen needs will not change while you are away. Changes in your condition, the climate, altitude and your activity levels all have an impact on your oxygen requirements.
Try not to rely on batteries alone. Ask about electrical power points and when possible, use mains power to allow your batteries to remain as charged as possible. As we saw with Pamela’s story, once you know your good health relies on a humble battery, it can be a worry to not have reassurance that you will be able to use your medical oxygen promptly when you need to.
Always double and triple check the realities of your accommodation. Adverts and sales pitches always promise top-class amenities, plenty of space and all the mod-cons, but the reality can be different. Make sure that your accommodation supplier knows your medical needs and has guaranteed – preferably in writing – that your specific needs will be met and that they understand it is a medical necessity for you.
If in doubt, speak to OxygenWorldwide and read the various blog posts: they are packed with useful hints and information on how to make your travel experience as painless and fun as possible.
How Does OxygenWorldwide Help You Decide?
OxygenWorldwide offers an advisory role only: there is no pressure to use one particular supplier or type of equipment. Instead, each case is considered as a standalone subject, with our experts’ sole aim to get travellers’ needs met in the most effective way.
OxygenWorldwide staff members will help you to assess your destination, inform you as to what local connections they have in that country, and help you to match rental equipment to your needs. OxygenWorldwide will liaise with your accommodation provider to ensure that your oxygen equipment and supplies are ready and waiting for you – and they will also set clear limits on what we can and cannot do in the country in question.
OxygenWorldwide has been working with travellers and their medical oxygen since 1993, and this means that we have a body of expertise that is second to none.
Quick Comparison Checklist
| Portable Oxygen Concentrator | Oxygen Cylinder/ Stationary Concentrator |
| Lightweight | Heavy |
| Portable | Static |
| Relatively low flowrate | High flowrates possible |
| Allowed on airlines (with caveats) | Not permitted at altitude |
| Short stay/ day trips/ weekends | Longer stays/ overnight |
If you need a little help in winnowing through the choices you’re facing, fill in OxygenWorldwide’s form or contact the team to talk through your needs for this specific trip. Getting your best options locked in as early as possible makes your travel calmer and much more enjoyable as you can focus on the sights and culture, rather than worrying about your oxygen needs.
FAQs
Can I just use my own POC?
If it is a permitted model, and if your flowrate is quite low, it is possible that you can use your own POC to travel. However, the odds on this perfect combination may be low, so it is best to doublecheck with your airline, your medical team and with OxygenWorldwide before making a firm decision
Is rental oxygen better for night use?
Once again, as this article has highlighted, this question is one that must be addressed by each individual in every instance of travel. It depends on the progression of your illness, the flowrate required and a number of other factors. However, in general, if you need a high flowrate and can’t be certain about being able to fully charge your POC batteries, then rental oxygen equipment is definitely a good option.
What if my oxygen needs change?
This is where OxygenWorldwide comes into their own: you may have ascertained your needs based on your current state of health and flowrate etc, only to find that the air is thinner in your destination country, or the climate is drier, or even simply that you are exerting yourself much more – all of these can drive up your flowrate. OxygenWorldwide can liaise with their local contacts to boost your supply to comfortable levels for the duration of your holiday.
What if my plans change during the holiday?
The answer is almost exactly the same as above: contact OxygenWorldwide as soon as you can, and they will swing into action, tweaking your supply to suit your needs.
Do I need back-up oxygen?
Once again, this depends on your personal needs and the state of your health. If you require a high flowrate, it can’t hurt to have a spare cylinder on hand, just in case, or a POC that you can use in an emergency – it is almost always better to have spare oxygen and not need than the opposite.
