international travel with oxygen concentrator

[GDanker]

I am on oxygen which I use mostly at night. Would it be at all possible to get a concentrator for travelling that would take me from Oregon (west coast of US to The Netherlands. I would like to visit my son but I don't see how this would be possible. Has anyone travelled internationally with a concentrator and how would one go about this? It all seems so difficult. In fact, since my CO2 level rarely goes lower than 88 - 93 and I am quite used to this without feeling breathless, could I even possibly be able to fly without one?

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[Ian1967]

Hi GDanker, you would first have to speak with your Respiratory Specialist about arranging a Fit to Fly test, this would determine whether you need supplementary oxygen in flight.

If you need oxygen in flight you could hire or buy a Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC) for the journey, most POC's are Pulse Dose which means the concentrator produces oxygen when it detects your pulse whilst breathing.

The Concentrator you use at home at bedtime will be Continuous Flow, which produce oxygen until you switch the concentrator off. You can only use a Continuous Flow concentrator or oxygen bottle whilst sleeping, because Pulse Dose is not suitable for sleeping with because your breathing whilst sleeping probably won't trigger the oxygen from the POC.

If you are able to use a Pulse Dose POC for getting around in the daytime then that might be suitable for flying, but please be aware FAA requires your POC to have enough battery life for one and half times your flying time, for example if you are flying for twelve hours you would need to have enough battery life for eighteen hours, but on top of this you also need enough battery life for getting to your flight and transfers to where you are going when you arrive at your son's house.

If you are going to visit your son on a regular basis it might be worth your while purchasing a stationary concentrator for his home, then you would only need to arrange your oxygen for the flight and transfer, here is a company based in the Netherlands I regularly use for oxygen and BiPAP supplies, they sell stationary concentrator’s: oxigo.co/en/

Your first step is speaking to your Respiratory Specialist so they can advise you.

I hope I have been some help.

Ian.

[GDanker in reply to Ian1967]

Yes, I've never heard of this test before but it is definitely where I need to start.

I get around in the daytime without resorting to oxygen although my oxygen does drop to the 80,s but when I sit to rest it goes back to the low 90's without oxygen. I guess I've gotten used to lower oxygen intake and whether that's good or not I don't know.

In any case, I would really like to see my son again and plan to make every effort to make that possible.

One concern is the POC. I've never heard of batteries that last, for example, 18 hours. Can you take two batteries onboard a flight and are you able to recharge one while using the other one?

This would be the last time that I visit The Netherlands so I just need the equipment for this one trip. Thank you for your helpful reply.

[Ian1967 in reply to GDanker]

Hi GDanker, I don’t know the situation with the Fit to Fly test in the USA, but in the UK if you are prescribed oxygen your Respiratory Specialist will tell you if you need one, so the first call you should be to your Respiratory Specialist, the tests take place in suitably equipped hospitals or specialist centres.

My Consultant said in my case I would be fine to fly to Europe on a POC setting of 2 without any problems, but flying any further could be problematic especially if had to sleep on longer flights, because I have to use BiPAP and oxygen at bedtime.

As for your POC battery life, yes you are allowed to take 2 batteries. For your bedtime oxygen needs you will have to arrange that through either a company in the USA, they will rent you a concentrator to use on your trip or you could contact a company in the Netherlands, here’s a link for oxygen concentrator hire in Europe just scroll down to the Netherlands: travelwithoxygen.com/travel...

I hope I have been some help.

Ian.

[peege]

Hi, I cannot help at all, have you called your oxygen supplier to see if they can advise you especially whether portable O2 is suitable for sleep use ? You'd also need to check out supplies in Holland . Good luck. P

[bazcranleigh]

Hi GDanker,Ian1967's advice is pretty sound. I have travelled frequently by air whilst requiring oxygen from England to Cape Town, South Africa. That flight is around 12 hours. British Airways and Emirates supply on-board oxygen for the flight duration for no charge on their long-haul routes. US airlines or KLM may do the same. BA provide 2 or 4 Litres/minute (pulsed) from the overhead oxygen supply while Emirates supply from a cylinder (6hrs capacity but they connect a second cylinder cylinder when required). For flights of less than 6hrs with BA you need to take your own POC.My methodology is to book my flight, arrange for a Fit to Fly test (where you are tested with an oxygen atmosphere simulating the concentration at 8000ft, air cabin levels) then ask the airline for inflight oxygen (you may prefer to check whether they provide the inflight oxygen before you book the tickets!). They will require your doctor to fill in a form stating your medical condition and certifying that you have passed the Fit to Fly test.

I have walking difficulties so I request airport assistance. So far - no problems.

I hope that this is useful.

Barrie.

[GDanker in reply to bazcranleigh]

Now that would be really perfect if the airlines provided the oxygen. I might have to fly with an airline that is more expensive but it would be well worth it. This Fit to Fly test is something I've never heard of before and I hope that I would pass it. While I'm not in the worst shape, I'm not in the best either. Like you, I would need some airport assistance. Thank you for your advice. There are so many helpful and knowledgeable people on this website. I actually frequent it quite often but don't usually comment.

[GDanker]

Thank you, that's all very good information. I have one question - where does that Fit to Fly test take place? This is done at the airport? I imagine that you have to pay for it and what would the cost be? In the past, before I used oxygen, I mostly flew with Delta and I wonder if they would offer anything like that. In any case, you've given me a lot to think about and to look into. Thanks again.

[bazcranleigh in reply to GDanker]

Hi again, My Fit to Fly test was carried out by my Pulmonary Physiotherapist by appointment. She has access through our National Health Service in the UK to the equipment required and the test is free of charge. She also provides a letter but the airlines may also require a letter signed by your family doctor as further evidence that you have no other problems that may prevent you from flying safely. There is sometimes a change for that over here in the UK.Travel is still getting to be a bit of a challenge!

Best wishes, Barrie.

[GDanker]

Rather silly of me to think that a health procedure would be carried out at the airport. I don't know what I was thinking! All the above answers have been excellent and I appreciate all of you taking the time to answer my questions. Of course, I won't be going anywhere until this rotten virus is under control so more than likely it won't be until next year. I only hope that I'm still in good enough shape to do it by that time. In any case, I have plenty of time to look into everything thoroughly. Great people on this website!