Air travel has become more restrictive with the increased burden of safety, of late, and as well as needing to prove one’s identity, check in hours ahead of flight times and be ready to pop our shoes off on demand, there are also stringent restrictions on what goods can be carried on a plane, whether in the hold or in the cabin. For most people, this is a minor inconvenience or extra expense, but for people who rely on oxygen for their good health and fitness, the thought of having their medical oxygen confiscated on boarding or even not being allowed to fly due to their illness, can be a daunting thought indeed.
But you don’t need to fret over the horror stories and exaggerations that you might have heard about travelling while unwell – travelling with medical oxygen can be safe and manageable, with just a little forethought and planning, especially with the help of OxygenWorldwide, a trusted resource for seamless delivery no matter where in the world you are. Let’s debunk some of these oxygen travel myths in favour of the truth of the matter.
Myth No. 1: Travelling with Medical Oxygen is Too Complicated
Myth: Going abroad when you need oxygen is too hard. You have to get letters from your doctor, consult the authorities and apply for all sorts of bureaucratic allowances and exceptions – it’s just not worth it!
Truth: Flying with oxygen can be complicated, but it really doesn’t have to be. Yes, you will have to plan your visit with some care, but you can get in touch with OxygenWorldwide, let them know your travel dates, and which country or countries you will be travelling through or to, and then you can sit back and relax, knowing that your supplemental oxygen will be ready and waiting in your chosen destination when you need it.
You can reach out to OxygenWorldwide by filling in their online form with the details of your oxygen needs, and they will send you a quotation for the service. They will also let you know if there are any regions that they cannot cover – but this is very rare as OxygenWorldwide has contacts with oxygen suppliers in most countries in the world. The company can arrange for a representative to be waiting to greet you with your cylinders as you step off the plane, or they can deliver to your hotel room or Airbnb – just let them know your oxygen travel needs!
Myth No. 2: You Can’t Fly with Medical Oxygen
Myth: Flying with oxygen cylinders on board is deemed a hazardous item by some airlines, who insist that you will have to use a portable oxygen concentrator while onboard to keep your O2 levels where they should be, rather than your trusty cylinder of LOX. The air consists of a mix of roughly 80% nitrogen to 20% oxygen, which is fine for healthy people. However, people suffering from a range of respiratory or lung diseases need oxygen in much higher concentrations – well up in the 90s. Concentrators draw in air and separate out and collect the oxygen. This helps you to maintain your high oxygen levels without the need for a separate oxygen tank.
Truth: But the truth is that you are not forced into using only an oxygen concentrator while on board your flight. Yes, there is some legislation and bureaucracy to work through, but you can take your medical oxygen on a plane as long as you have filled in the right forms and informed the right people about your needs and your itinerary.
OxygenWorldwide can help here too – they are experienced at dealing with airlines and can guide you as to your various options and can ensure that you are compliant with each airline’s rules, supplying oxygen and concentrators as appropriate and as needed.
Myth No. 3: Oxygen Equipment is Too Bulky for Travel
Myth: Patients can worry that their oxygen cylinders and concentrators are bulky, heavy, and generally too difficult to travel with. They are concerned that they will take up more space than is fair and can often curtail their own travel dreams without ever expressing their wishes.
Truth: While it is true that some oxygen cylinders are large, heavy, and bulky, there are also those that are small and light, easy enough to carry or wheel along, taking up no more space than a large handbag or backpack. The larger cylinders tend to be designed for long-term use (over many hours, such as during a night’s sleep, for example) while the smaller ones are ideal for four or five hours or so – just long enough to enjoy a day trip, theatre visit or excursion. Concentrators are similarly compact and can easily be carried and used on a plane – even in the ungenerously sized seats that planes tend to have fitted these days!
Mention your specific needs to OxygenWorldwide and they will detail all the available options, from something light and portable for your flight to a large and sturdy cylinder for nighttime use – no matter your needs, OxygenWorldwide can fulfil your order. And if your plans change in real time, you can use OxygenWorldwide’s emergency number to adjust your oxygen order, so your travel plans are not disrupted any more than is absolutely necessary.
Myth No. 4: Oxygen Isn’t Available Abroad
Myth: There is a persistent rumour that oxygen is not available in other countries, especially those that are developing. The fear is that you will assume that you can find a supply of portable oxygen once you arrive at your destination country, but then find that your assumption was faulty, leaving you without your supplemental oxygen and at risk of being fatigued and breathless while trying to enjoy yourself on holiday.
Truth: In fact, OxygenWorldwide has close links with an enormous range of oxygen suppliers in many countries all around the world. They collaborate closely with these local suppliers to ensure that the needs of their customers are met. Over the years, OxygenWorldwide has built up a network of dependable suppliers who value the arrangement and take pride in meeting all oxygen travel demands promptly and efficiently.
OxygenWorldwide provides supplies for people in countries as diverse as the USA – even servicing Disneyworld in Orlando, Croatia, Spain, and Turkey, to name just some of the most popular destinations.
Myth No. 5: Medical Oxygen is Only for Serious Illnesses
Myth: It’s a common assumption that once you need portable oxygen, that you must be very ill and will require an oxygen tank near at hand for the rest of your life. These needs can range from enormous static tanks (such as those used by hospitals and care homes) to small, portable cylinders and concentrators that mean that it’s possible to stay mobile while keeping your O2 stats up.
Truth: A great number of conditions can require the use of oxygen, and many of them are temporary. Portable oxygen can be used in the short term to help you heal from operations, respiratory infections, or viruses, or even to alleviate symptoms so you are more comfortable as you recover from diseases such as cancer or Covid-19. Sometimes you might even need temporary oxygen to help you mitigate the stresses of travel – pressurised air cabins can cause discomfort and fatigue, for example. Oxygen therapy can ensure that you remain healthy and comfortable during your voyage.
It doesn’t matter if you need oxygen all the time, for only a short while, or even just while travelling: when you have effortless access to the supplies you need, travelling is easier, you are more comfortable and your sleep is more restful – so don’t hesitate to express your needs when you’re planning your journey whether you have a respiratory virus, asthma, bronchitis or something longer-term like heart failure or cystic fibrosis. Your needs can be met, and you can enjoy travelling the world!
So, you can see how these myths start up – they tend to be a mixture of some truth with a lot of invention, often told to manage the expectations of patients who rely on long-term medical interventions. But the exaggerations are often fairly easily debunked – travelling with medical oxygen is not only perfectly possible, but it can be stress-free too, if you have the right support. And Oxygen Worldwide has exactly that support structure in place – consult them now for some expert advice and access to seamless oxygen delivery solutions that will meet all your needs.
