Traveling Abroad needing oxygen

[LFCX6]

Hi I have Pulmonary fibrosis & have recently been prescribed oxygen for outside active use 6ltr. We had booked to go to Florida in September & I had a fit to fly in Feb 2022 & need 2ltr while flying. Because I have never done this before has anybody got any good advice for me

[Ian1967]

Hi LFCX6, have you been tested for the ability to use Pulse Flow Oxygen, if you are then you can either hire or buy a Inogen One G5 or similar, the reason I recommend the G5 is goes up to 6, whereas most others only go up to 5 I bought the Inogen One G3 for going abroad on holiday, I also have the G5 which is supplied by the NHS, but you can’t take your NHS supplied oxygen equipment to travel abroad.

When I was originally going abroad in 2019 I was quoted to hire a Portable Oxygen Concentrator around £400 for a week, so I bought the G3 second hand with the larger battery for £1500 it also had a two and half year warranty included.

You can also get Continuous Flow Concentrator’s, but they only go up to a flow rate of 2 litres, but they also have a much shorter battery life and are much larger and require a trolley for getting around.

Please be aware you also need need at least one and half times your flight in battery life, so for your journey you would need at least two maybe three large batteries for a Inogen one G5 to last your journey.

I hope I have been some help.

Ian.

[LFCX6 in reply to Ian1967]

Thank you for your reply it is very helpful. I have been tested for the ability for using pulse flow which I have a conserver on my oxygen supply for outdoor active use. Where did you buy your second hand one from ?

LFCX6

[Ian1967 in reply to LFCX6]

Hi LFCX6, I actually bought it off someone on this site, but Intermedical intermedicaldirect.co.uk/pr... Oxygen Direct oxygendirect.co.uk/store/Ox...

Sell ex/demo and second hand machines, you could also try Pure o2 healthoxygen.com/product-ca...

and don’t forget, with you being prescribed oxygen by the NHS you are entitled to VAT free because of your condition.

I hope I have been some help.

Ian.

[LFCX6 in reply to Ian1967]

Thanks for your help will have a look .

LFCX6

[gardenalan]

Check with your airline before booking your ticket as to what size you can carry some are very strict on battery size good luck

[LFCX6 in reply to gardenalan]

Thanks our flights where book last year with virgin before I was prescribed oxygen & I have spoken with them quite expensive.

LFCX6

[gardenalan in reply to LFCX6]

Everything has changed even short flights it’s a job to keep up so many people are disappointed hope you enjoy your holiday we spent a fortune on tests last winter and the stress of locator forms still glad we made the effort take care x

[LFCX6 in reply to gardenalan]

Thanks feel as if its a mine field with being the first time having to sort it out, fingers crossed we get there.

LFCX6

[bazcranleigh]

Hi, If you are flying with BA you can request in-flight oxygen on their long haul flights. They provide 2 or 4L/min free of charge (or they did before the pandemic). You may need a more recent Fitness to Fly certification and should check with the airline.

[LFCX6 in reply to bazcranleigh]

Flights already booked with Virgin who use to not charge but now you have to take a POC on board & is coming out quite expensive to hire from them.

LFCX6

[bazcranleigh in reply to LFCX6]

I have a company called Dolby Vivisol who supplies my NHS oxygen. They do equipment for travel. A POC from them may be competitive for price. But do check with Virgin that your Fit to Fly Certificate is still valid. The last time I used one with BA it had to be issued within one month of the outbound flight. Good luck. Barrie.

[LFCX6 in reply to bazcranleigh]

Thanks with check it out .

LFCX6