On Oxygen -- want to travel -- What to do?

[meister]

My Doctor put me on APAP with Oxygen. I would like to go to
Hawaii, but I don't think that they allow Oxygen bottles on planes.
What about taking a Cruise? Do the ships have Oxygen available
on-board? Backpacking seems to be out of the question unless I
get a couple of pack mules, and a portable Electricity Generator.

[Janelle]

Way I understand it, is if you are on oxygen for medical reasons, you can take it aboard, just like your CPAP. They gonna deny frail old people who are on oxygen all the time 42/7 to fly? I don't think so.

[Guest]

meister - have you looked at the Puritan Bennett Helios oxygen system? It's built for travel - you may want to google it and check it out.

[snoozin']

Best thing to do is check with the airline or cruise ship ahead of time, and see exactly what their policy is. Some allow you to bring your own oxygen, some supply oxygen, etc.
But yes, they are used to this and they do have policies in place, so you will be able to travel.
Backpacking - I'm not so sure about. They do have lighter weight liquid oxygen cylinders now, which last for 8 hours or so. You could probably do a day trip with one of them.
Debbie

Here is a link to the helios system. That is the one I was thinking of.
http://www.puritanbennett.com/prod/List.aspx?S1=OXY

[FLY GUY]

Sorry to bring bad news. You can bring your 02 bottle on the plane with you. it must meet labeling requirements . The valve may need to be removed also. The airline will provide O2 at a cost whilst aboard however you must contract with a supplier while in the terminal area and at your destination. bummer huh.
Portable generators are an option . The back up bottle must meet the same requirements as all others. its best to plan several weeks ahead to avoid problems.

Here is a link
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,1043,00.html

You may look at other airlines policies under customer service, Special needs- Medical Oxygen.

The FAA makes these rules.

Or just Take the train .

FLY GUY

[Kristy5550]

I am on O2 also. From what I have been told you can NOT use your own oxygen on the commercial flights. They supply the oxygen. A friend was going to fly , the O2 was more than the ticket itself. I think that is terrible but we have to go by their rules. Also you can only take EMPTY tanks with you onboard.
I have no idea about the ships. I have never considered going on a cruise. My lupus prohibits me from being in the sun at all.

[Dave Hargett]

The FAA is considering approving some of the portable oxygen devices, but I don't think the final rule is out yet. The period for public comments was sometime late last year, as I remember.

At that point, it was limited to a single brand/device as being approved, but comments were to allow for more flexible rulings on new versions of products like the Helios.

Dave

[Liam1965]

I would like to go to Hawaii, but I don't think that they allow Oxygen bottles on planes...Backpacking seems to be out of the question unless I get a couple of pack mules, and a portable Electricity Generator.

Um... I'm no geography major, but I seem to recall you'll have more troubles backpacking to Hawaii than just need for mules and portable electricity.

Liam, who actually works for one of MapQuest's data source companies.

[meister]

You Goofball. I will be taking the train to Hawaii, not
backpacking!! And unlike you with your ball-n-chain to drag around, I
got my own mule to carry me through life. Hopefully she doesn't read
this or it will be just me and the CPAP hose.

When are you going to send me all that nice equipment which you keep
purchasing and then stop using? I am looking for a nice PB420e to
borrow just for a week so I can decide if I should purchase one.

[Liam1965]

And unlike you with your ball-n-chain to drag around, I
got my own mule to carry me through life.

Oh, GREAT. I'm reading this with my wife watching over my shoulder, and that little "ball-n-chain" remark just cost me a little something something tonight...

I hope you're satisfied.

Liam, relieved because the ball-n-chain just walked away.

[meister]

No wonder you don't get any sleep. You and the little lady can't be
going at it all night long like bunnies and hope to be rested in the morning.

Forget about loaning me some of your "equipment". Sounds like you wear
it out in a couple of days.

[AUTOMATIC]

There is a network available that supplies O2 throughout the US. Look up VGM group. Also a company called airsep has I believe the first FAA approved portable concentrator for travel. If you need a source contact AUTOMATIC and I can help you with all the above.....AUTOMATIC