Traveling with Oxygen

[anrean]

Hi

I am flying from Buffalo, NY to Baltomore, MD in March and am getting a bit nervous about using a portable concentrator. It is approved for use on the plane, but I am concerned about how much time it will actually provide. I am on a setting of 2, and will have an extra battery with the concentrator. My O2 provider says it will last "up to" 8 hours.

Has anyone out there used one, and how long did it really last?

Lauri-Anne

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

Lori,

My cousin rented one to use on a trip to Colorado. She flew Detroit to Denver and the battery held no problem. I think that that flight is a little bit longer than the one you have planned. I’m going to send her an email and see if she can remember the make of the concentrator.

[anrean in reply to Denzie]

Thank you, Denzie. You always come through with honest a great information!!!

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer in reply to anrean]

So glad Judg69 you had such great information for you. My cousin can’t remember which one she used but she leased it through Lincare.

[anrean in reply to Denzie]

My company, Respiatory Services of Buffalo, outsources and provides the concentrator for free; the extra battery is $25.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer in reply to anrean]

That’s great. My cousins cost $200/wk cash. Insurance wouldn’t cover.

[judg69]

Anrean, a fully charged battery will be more than sufficient for that flight duration. Best Wishes, judg69

[anrean in reply to judg69]

Thank you, judg69. Do you know how long a fully charged battery will last? They told me 4 hours, but a lady in my doctor's office said hers doesn't last that long, but she did not know how long it does last. We are planning on going from the airport to dinner and I'm concerned that the battery will not last long enough, I will have a spare battery and hopefully between the two will be okay.

Lauri-Anne

[judg69]

Depending on which pulse unit you have ( eg. Inogen G3 or Respironics SimplyGo Mini, if you have your unit on setting 2, one battery should last 3 to 3.5 hours. Obviously if you put your unit up to the highest setting , you will likely get 2 to 2.5 hours per battery. Anrean, remember to pack both your at-home charging unit AND your in-vehicle charging kit. Charge your unit in the auto enroute to the airport and then from the airport to the restaurant. Have a safe and fun trip. Best Wishes, judg69

[anrean in reply to judg69]

Dear judg69

Thank you so much for the information - it sounds more like the info that I got from my doc's patient that the hesitant info from the company that assured me it would last 4 hours. Knowing 3 to 3.5 hours is more realistic makes planning so much easier!

I'll be using my regular O2 tank to and from the airport at home. This is exciting!! Will let everyone know how long it actually lasts when I get back.

Lauri-Anne