Traveling with O2 concentrator

[stanleydean]

The current thread dealing with flying with a CPAP machine made it seem like a good time to raise the question of traveling when supplemental O2 is needed. My needs include 2 LPM of supplemental O2 fed into my hose or mask. The last time we traveled by air was eleven years ago and my DME at that time provided an O2 concentrator that was small enough to fit into my carry on overhead shelf luggage. No major problems. Since then our traveling has been in a van or SUV and I just lug along the standard size home use O2 concentrator which is bulky and heavy. Current DME does not provide a smaller unit nor do any the others that I am aware of. Short term rentals at the destination are very expensive. The mini size O2 machines do not provide the needed steady volume needed.

I would appreciate hearing how others have handled this situation. I do not normally take the O2 concentrator into a hotel for a one night stopover but otherwise whenever we stop, hotel or family, the machine goes in.

Thanks, 

Stan

[Walla Walla]

At one time I looked into it. Other than renting one at your destination or driving I never did find an answer.

[PaulaO2]

It depends on the airline as to whether they allow it to be used on the plane. Some may restrict it as a carryon or checked baggage.

https://www.tsa.gov/blog/2014/04/08/tsa-...ble-oxygen

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures (the respiratory equipment isn't loading for me at the moment but you can select it from the drop down box).

[stanleydean]

At one time I looked into it. Other than renting one at your destination or driving I never did find an answer.

Thanks WW, unfortunately that seems to be the way it is.

[stanleydean]

It depends on the airline as to whether they allow it to be used on the plane. Some may restrict it as a carryon or checked baggage.

https://www.tsa.gov/blog/2014/04/08/tsa-...ble-oxygen

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures (the respiratory equipment isn't loading for me at the moment but you can select it from the drop down box).

Thanks Paula,

Since we are pretty much driving now days it isn't much more of an issue than lugging the monster around. If we were to start thinking about some flying hopefully there will be enough lead time to research it more thoroughly. The need isn't likely to go away.

Stan

[Mosquitobait]

Renting O2 while away from home is easy or difficult depending on the state you are going to. Unfortunately, costly. For a single night, it's $100. Rental by 2 weeks or a month is cheaper per day.