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Travelling by Car with Oxygen Cylinders, is there any restrictions on the amount you can carry in a vehicle.

12 years ago•14 Replies

Hi, i have recently posted on another thread about getting out and about more, maybe for a short holiday. I suffer from Neurofibramatosis and Pulmonary Hypertension, and therefore require 12 litres of oxygen per minute 24 hours a day.

We would like to know if there are any restrictions etc on carrying Oxygen in a car, as I need quite a high dose of Oxygen now, my cylinders only last upto an hour and my portable companion liquid oxygen only lasts around max 90 mins, so therefore for a longer journey or day trip and also allowing some in reserve for any delays, I will need to take several cylinders, maybe 6 or even more depending on the length of journey.

Also is there any advice on these should be stored in a car, are they OK on the boot floor or do they need to be in a box etc.

Any advice would be most appreciated.

Many Thanks.

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Eileen25

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14 Replies

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libbygood12 years ago

I don't think there are any restrictions it dosn't even make any difference to car Insurance although you do have to inform them. We carry the medium size bottles in the car without any problems. Your Oxygen provider should be able to help, think they supply containers for carrying oxygen bottles. The only trouble I have when driving on my own with the oxygen bottle on the passenger seat - the alarm keeps going because I havn't put his seat belt on !

Lib x

12 years ago

I carried 3 (sometimes 4) when I was working. My oxygen company supplied a carrier for the boot to stop them sliding around.

Libby they are not supposed to be put on the seat - dangerous if you brake hard. Try putting it on the floor. I usually put mine in the footwell of the passenger seat. Anyone sitting there manages perfectly well by putting a foot either side.

Hergernt12 years ago

The only limit that has ever applied was on a cross channel ferry that could only allow 6 of the 440lt cylinders to be carried in the car. I often travel with a five day dewar in the car which has been delivered to our first stopping point when we are traveling.

As others have said be safe but do not let it stop the freedom that mobile oxygen brings.

tanyamarie12 years ago

You can put the cylinders on the car seat, they should be in the bag and strapped in with the seatbelt. Perfectly secure and that is what we were advised.

• in reply totanyamarie12 years ago

It must vary by region then Tanyamarie as my paperwork says it is a definite no-no.

kulfi• in reply to12 years ago

Air Products instructs floor and secured in boot when not using but hearing that companies will have own rules for how it must be.

• in reply tokulfi12 years ago

Yes, I am Air Products too.

tanyamarie• in reply to12 years ago

Hiya hun, its not a regional thing, air products advise not to carry cylinders 'unsecured' on the seats hence securing them with the seat belt is perfectly fine. It is on their website and we spoke to them also before doing it just to double check.

libbygood12 years ago

I'm with Air Products, I will heed their advice.

Lib x

caroleoctober12 years ago

I am with Air Liquide and have no advice on travelling with oxygen, if I am alone in the car I put my Helios on the seat, as it has a flat back it will not roll off, if I have a passenger I put it on the floor leant against the consul between the seat wells. I found that when it is in the seat well the cannula was not long enough for comfort so Air Liquide now supply me with 2 metre ones which also help when I have it in my rollator.

Carole x

AbbyRudi12 years ago

i believe you should also have one of those green stickers somewhere outside the car that indicates there is liquid oxygen. It's only in case of accident so that emergency services are aware; especially if there is any risk of fire.

You should also have a sticker at the entrance to your home, for the same reason. All of the oxygen suppliers have them available; but you have to ask.

AbbyRudi12 years ago

Yes...and yes.

Eileen2512 years ago

Thank you everyone for your response. I must get myself a car sticker. My Oxygen supplier said that the have stopped given out carrying boxes for the cylinders for in the car.

We tend to secure a couple of bottle in the boot using our own boxes. It was more am I restricted to the amount of Cylinders I can carry in the car at any one time, as I mentioned earlier, where once upon a time my liquid Oxygen Companion used to last around 6 hours, this now only lasts around 60 to 90 mins and the Cylinders are only lasting around 45 to 60 mins due to the large increase in Oxygen I now require.

Thanks again.

marvinmole8 years ago

It is recommended NOT to put a compressed gas or oxygen sticker on a car or van UNLESS you carry lots of cylinders for commercial use or delivery

The fire brigades do NOT like them... it can hinder a rescue

BUT if you do have an accident needing emergency services.... TELL the fireperson WHEN THEY ARRIVE not before... and not when phoning them

ALSO carry a note that a) you carry oxygen b) why you use oxygen eg cluster headache c) what your required dosage is e.g 16ltr/min for 5mins then 8ltr/min for 20mins non-rebreathing (MY requirements)

I always had explosive (I used them) and oxygen stickers.. I gave up the explosives one when I retired... and the oxygen one when advised (forcibly) by the fire service