Supplementary oxygen on flight

[SunshinePlease]

Hi everyone

I wonder if anyone can give me advice/help allay my anxiety over on-board oxygen for my teenager!

His fit to fly test was borderline, but the consultant says it would be a good idea to have it on board and use if needed/when sleeping (I can test SATS with oximeter).

Has anyone else here used it and would you have any advice? Is it quite discreet (teen is v worried about other people seeing him wearing it ☹️)

Thanks

[Patk1]

I'd have a word with special assistance of company yr flying with.i hope u get some advice here too

[Maggity]

You'll have to check with the airline first and if the oxygen is supplied by NHS you won't be able to take it out the country, but contact resp team and oxygen suppliers for advice. You can rent or buy.Insurance will also be expensive I'm afraid.

Sorry this sounds very negative, but I do believe it can be complicated but well worth it if you son gets to have a great holiday.

[Wangpaupau]

Hi Sunshine,my daughter & I have travelled frequently on long & short haul flights with different airlines.She needs oxygen for flying based on her initial fit to fly test.For short haul she uses a Portable Oxygen Concentrator which we have purchased.It's more cost effective for us than hiring as it's expensive to hire.For long haul which we have flown with Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong, Singapore & Malaysia,the airline have provided inflight oxygen FOC.Need to get the consultant to fill in the airlines medical clearance form,submit it and get approval.We have just came back from India with British Airways and they supply inflight oxygen FOC for long haul IE for flights over 6 hrs or more. Again with BA,need to fill in their Medical Clearance Forms,submit it and get approval to fly.Both airlines provision of inflight oxygen have been brilliant.The crew knows what to do and been very helpful. Also need to fill in airlines medical forms etc when flying with Portable Oxygen Concentrator. Contact Pure Oxygen,they are able to give you advice on airline approved Portable Oxygen Concentrator to hire or purchase. My daughter also have flown with Easy Jet and Austrian Airlines using POC. My daughter is used to having to use either inflight oxygen and frankly, nobody really bat an eyelid! My daughter is used to this and it's the way forward to travel safely and be able to go & enjoy foreign places. I remember the first time she had to travel with her POC, it was a bit daunting and she did get embarrassed but hey after that who cares!😂Also make sure you have adequate travel insurance and request wheel chair assistance if needed.

Hope your teen will enjoy his travels and best wishes to both of you Feel free to ask me if you need further advice.

[SunshinePlease in reply to Wangpaupau]

Hi Wangpaupau - I can't tell you how reassuring this is! Thank you. Our consultant is submitting the medical clearance form today so we're on the way to getting it sorted. I'm so pleased that you and your daughter are able to travel so much and that it doesn't limit her. Thanks again!

[SunshinePlease in reply to Wangpaupau]

Hi again... I am getting a bit nervous about the oxygen on the flight - I don't know why - just whether my son will agree to using it and whether he'll feel ok doing so. Do you get these worries Wangpaupau, or could you give any tips on how to deal with it? Is the oxygen easy to use - where is the FOC located? I can't quite visualise it!

Thank you x