How OxygenWorldwide Helps You Breathe Easy Anywhere in the World
If you rely on oxygen to keep you healthy and mobile, you might have assumed that you can't travel except perhaps for emergencies. But this isn't true at all: there is no reason why people who rely on medical oxygen can't travel for frivolous reasons as well as for business or leisure – why not go enjoy yourself at a beach resort if that's what you want to do? If you are concerned about receiving the oxygen you need in a foreign country, rest assured that there is a global oxygen supply service just waiting to spring into action on your behalf, complete with a network of trusted and reliable local partners and a deep understanding of the regulations and logistics of keeping people supplied with what they need to be safe and healthy while away from home. OxygenWorldwide is a long-established business with contacts everywhere in the world, and they will ensure that you travel safely and confidently, receiving the oxygen you need, when and where you need it.
"Whether you're planning a beach holiday, a cruise, or visiting family across borders, we're here to help you breathe easy—literally."
Who is OxygenWorldwide For?
OxygenWorldwide is for everyone who needs oxygen and who is traveling. It doesn't matter if you are:
- On holiday – long or short-stay, going on a cruise or lengthy train trip, tourists going to one destination or travelers going to multiple destinations one after the other
- Heading home from hospital or after medical treatment – or even if you fell ill while abroad or need to move to be closer to relatives who can help to look after as your condition progresses
- A family member looking to arrange a flight or transport for a loved one who needs oxygen some or all of the time
- Insurance providers and medical case managers looking to form a partnership with a company who can provide oxygen support for international travel
– OxygenWorldwide is waiting for you to get in touch.
"If you or someone you care for relies on oxygen therapy, our service is designed with you in mind."
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OxygenWorldwide has been in the business of oxygen provision since 1993, and they are easily able to meet even complicated demands for oxygen, encompassing multiple types of oxygen device and over many different destinations. As well as supplying everything from liquid oxygen (LOX) to cylinders to POCs, we will also work with local hospitals, insurers and even your existing oxygen suppliers to make sure your time away from home is truly as trouble-free as possible.
"We take care of the logistics—so you can focus on your trip, not your oxygen."
What Makes OxygenWorldwide Different?
What sets OxygenWorldwide apart from other suppliers is our sheer body of experience and expertise: After over thirty years in the business, we have a truly global reach with partners in more than a hundred countries all over the world, ready to supply medical oxygen for cruises and holidays of all types for clients from all walks of life. If you aren't from an English-speaking country, don't worry: we have a multilingual team who can talk to you in your chosen language to make sure there are no errors in translation. We also offer a 24/7 emergency phone line which is available throughout your journey, with our operatives trained and ready to make whatever adjustments you need, at any point in your itinerary. But our service starts long before you leave home: every package is personally customized to the client's needs. We completely understand that every oxygen user is different and every voyage will bring with it different challenges and obstacles.
"We've helped thousands of oxygen users travel more freely—with the safety and comfort they deserve."
How It Works
If you're thinking about a holiday abroad, the first thing to do is visit our enquiry page – here – and fill it in with all your travel details.
Secondly: we'll have a look at the form and let you know the possibilities for your chosen destination.
Once you give us the go-ahead, we'll spring into action, including making contact with your doctor and/ or insurance provider if necessary (some countries insist on a medical certificate, others on a prescription for the oxygen, still others want both). We'll get your oxygen needs set into a supply line and confirm the details with you.
Fourth, you travel and have a wonderful experience, exploring the world and making the most of your visit. Your oxygen is ready and waiting for you wherever you go, offering you perfect peace of mind.
Fifth (optional!) – if anything goes awry or you need to change your plans for any reason, we are just a phone call away.
"The process is easy. You tell us where you're going, and we take it from there."
Real World Scenarios
Let's say you are flying to your first destination, proceeding to travel through three or four different countries, moving around within each country every second or third day, and then returning home via a cruise ship – OxygenWorldwide can not only ensure that you receive your oxygen at your first accommodation, we can ensure that you have a good oxygen supply on the plane (probably using a compliant POC (portable oxygen concentrator), meet you upon landing with whatever device or cylinder you request, and then deliver the cylinders and equipment that you need to each and every port, hotel room or Airbnb that you are staying at throughout your travels.
Hospital stays abroad can also be catered for as you try to make your way home after an accident or falling ill: we'll handle the oxygen right up to the plane door and seamlessly pick it up again on landing in your home country.
Staying abroad for a work contract for several months? We'll get your oxygen delivered to your door in a timely manner.
"No matter how complex your trip seems, we'll find a way to make it safe and comfortable."
Why Breathe Easy with OxygenWorldwide?
Because you can breathe easy with OxygenWorldwide, literally! Once you've signed on with us, your oxygen supply is set in place as soon as your plans are firmed up, so you won't run out, be left without support or find yourself stuck in one place – even if your plans change suddenly, reach out to our round-the-clock hotline and let us know. The sooner the better in cases like this, but even at the last minute we can rally round and you back on track as soon as possible. Knowing that we are there, just a call away, is reassuring. Knowing that we have an immense team, well-practiced in oxygen support for international travel, can give you additional peace of mind.
"Travel is about freedom—and with the right oxygen support, it's a freedom you can still enjoy."
To conclude, now you know that traveling with oxygen doesn't have to be a minefield and that, in fact, it can be perfectly safe, especially if you use OxygenWorldwide to help you navigate the various rules and regulations around the supply of medical oxygen for cruises and holidays, you can get in touch with us today, be reassured as to our expertise and start planning that cruise or vacation right away.
Remember: OxygenWorldwide can –
- Provide oxygen to your destination or choice of destinations
- Speak to you in your preferred language
- Offer a multilingual team for all round comprehension
- Offer a wealth of experience dating back to 1993
"Let us handle your oxygen needs—so you can focus on the journey ahead. Start by filling out our quick enquiry form."
The Ultimate Checklist for Traveling with Oxygen
If you rely on medical oxygen to survive – even simply to enjoy a good level of health – you don't want to take a chance on not being able to access the supplies you need. Sometimes this results in people reducing their activities, avoiding going to events that mean they'll be away from their oxygen device for long periods of time and even eschewing travel.
Needless to say, this can result in quite a boring, constrained life – and it's quite unnecessary! With the right preparation arranging oxygen for international travel does not have to be difficult or risky. Let's take a look at with this oxygen travel preparation guide that will lay out all the must-dos and how-tos so you can travel with a light heart and easy breathing.
The first thing you will need is to understand what your responsibilities and duties are: the following travel checklist for oxygen users will guide you through the whole process – if you work your way from the first item to the last, you will have largely covered all the bases and be set for your safe and stress-free trip.
Item 1: Consult your Healthcare Provider
As soon as you start thinking that you might want to travel, the first thing you should do is make an appointment with your doctor or medical team. Let them know that you're thinking about traveling and to where you will be going. Ask specifically about necessary vaccinations, if they have any advice about traveling to that particular country, and if they have any general advice to keep you in good shape while you are away from home.
Do note, however, it is important you do your own investigation as much as possible: it is your responsibility, not your doctor's to make sure you know if you need a medical certificate stating you are fit to travel, a copy of your prescription (some countries will not dispense oxygen without one), and anything else unique to your chosen destination.
This oxygen travel preparation guide might be useful to help you understand everything that might be needed: you can use this one, or rework it to be specific to your country of origin, destination and specific medical condition.
Item 2: Coordinate with an Oxygen Supplier
Let your regular supplier know that you will be away, so they can adjust the oxygen they send you, pausing your supply until you return. Do make sure you will have enough to last you until you go, and perhaps a supply waiting for you at home – or at least, a small delivery that you can collect on your way home to tide you over until your regular deliveries resume.
And to ensure that you can access the oxygen supplies you need while traveling, engage the services of a specialist logistics company which prides itself on arranging oxygen for international travel – including for those flying with medical oxygen devices which can be sometime of a minefield (explosive pun not intended!) – such as OxygenWorldwide.
OxygenWorldwide can facilitate oxygen deliveries to just about any country, usually in your chosen form of medical device. Your oxygen can be delivered to your accommodation, to your mode of transport, or even meet you at the airport or port – wherever you need it.
Item 3: Understand Transport Regulations
As hinted above, oxygen is known as a hazardous substance because of its readiness to explode under the right (or wrong) conditions. This means that transporting oxygen cylinders and respiratory equipment can be tricky, and not only on airplanes, although flight regulations are among the strictest. On buses, trains and cruise liners, regulations are a little more relaxed, but you should still always check beforehand that your particular model and needs can be met – sometimes this can make the difference between you being given a cabin or sleeping berth with access to a power point, vital for keeping your nighttime oxygen flowing.
The main concern with these modes of transport is that space is a premium, and oxygen tanks and devices take up cubic volume and also add weight to the vehicle. This is why you must inform your transport supplier as soon as you can, and check that you will be good to travel with your medical oxygen.
Item 4: Arrange Necessary Equipment
In most cases, you will be able to use only a portable oxygen concentrator (POC) when in flight, with any oxygen cylinders, empty and in the baggage hold. Make sure – well in advance – that your POC is one of those approved for use on the flight and, if not, ask the airline if they can rent or lend you one for the flight.
Failing this, OxygenWorldwide might be able to help source a compatible device for you to use on the flight. Hiring a POC for the duration of your trip is probably not a bad idea, if it can supply you with sufficient oxygen. This is because it is the lightest and most portable of all the medical oxygen devices, and will be the most discreet to use while out and about exploring new cities and seeing all the sights.
NB: you must be fully able to manage your oxygen apparatus, including understanding what any alarms mean and knowing how to reset them or otherwise manage the device.
As well as the above, make sure you know what batteries or chargers your medical device needs, carry some spares with you, and quickly find out, upon arrival, where you might quickly source replacements should that become necessary. Also think about things like nasal cannulas, masks and so on.
Item 5: Plan for Destination Needs
At every step of the way, inform everyone about your medical needs and the fact that you will not only be getting a steady supply of oxygen, but also that you will need handy plug points. Your accommodations will need to be told, so they are aware that your oxygen will be arriving and can direct it to the right place, as well as making reasonable accommodation for your needs.
Also ensure that you know where the nearest or most appropriate medical care can be found, and if you can, sign up with a local medical centre so you can be sure of first-class medical care should an emergency arise.
Item 6: Verify Your Insurance Coverage
When taking out travel insurance (and you should take out travel insurance) make sure that they know about your medical condition, and specifically ask for a policy that includes coverage of your specific medical issues, even if you have to pay a little extra for the additional coverage. It is infinitely better to have thorough insurance coverage and not need it than the opposite…
Get into the habit of carrying your insurance documentation with you, securely in an unloseable pouch or pocket.
Item 7: Pack Essential Documents
These documents not only include your passport and ID, but also insurance certificates and contact information. And that contact information should include OxygenWorldwide's emergency phone number which is manned around the clock by operatives who are authorized to adjust oxygen supplies to travelers as and when they need to. And, last, but definitely not least, you should always have your doctor's certificate stating your ability to travel and an up-to-date prescription on hand, so you can reassure transport personnel of your fitness to travel as well as being sure of accessing the oxygen you need to keep you that way.
Item 8: Prepare for Security Screenings
The TSA is famously strict about letting people through their gates, and anyone who is different in any way – such as carrying a portable oxygen device with them – will almost certainly draw extra scrutiny. Stay up to date with TSA guidelines, if you're traveling to the USA, and ensure your oxygen devices fall within the allowed limits in all cases. Get any certificates and permissions you need, and carry the proof of your compliance with you at all times.
Item 9: Monitor Your Health While Traveling
Traveling is stressful, especially when you haven't done a lot of it, and your symptoms might change depending on the air quality, altitude and more of the destination country. This can make it easy to miss early-warning indications that you are unwell or about to be. Make sure you know how to recognize oxygen desaturation, whether by paying attention to your body or by using pulse oximeters, and if in doubt, contact a health professional for a quick check-up. If you are falling ill, the earlier you treat it, the lower the impact it will have on your holiday.
By following this oxygen travel preparation guide, you can see that, yes, it is quite a lot of work to do before you can travel with confidence. And yet, putting in those hours and setting up back-up plans, means that you will be able to travel knowing that your oxygen needs will be met, promptly and efficiently, at your choice of destination. And once you start traveling successfully, you won't look back, except to enjoy the fond memories and plan your return trip for as soon as possible.
Get in touch with us to start your journey.
Need Oxygen While Traveling? Here’s How OxygenWorldwide can Help
While many aspects of life are now accessible and welcoming to people with long-term health conditions, there is one that is still, unfortunately, sometimes quite ableist. Travel tends not to make allowances for people in wheelchairs, with narrow aisles in planes and trains, travel hubs can be fast-paced and overwhelming for those on the spectrum, and blind or deaf people often find immense gaps between stated inclusion policies and practical assistance on the ground. For those who need medical oxygen, the rules about traveling with medical oxygen can be inflexible: compressed oxygen can be explosive and therefore its carriage is highly regulated, monitored and – often – forbidden in certain circumstances.
But this does not mean that you cannot travel with medical oxygen: just that you have to plan it all extremely carefully to make sure that the logistics and safety considerations are all worked out! And one way to make this process as easy as possible is to access your travel oxygen using one of the best oxygen services for international travel – OxygenWorldwide. OxygenWorldwide is a specialist service, ensuring that medical oxygen needs are met before and during transit and while at your chosen destination. They provide a seamless and reliable medical oxygen delivery service so you can relax and enjoy your travels, no matter if they are for business, vacation or other purposes.
About OxygenWorldwide
Since 1993, OxygenWorldwide has been established in the world of oxygen support for travelers – with our decades of experience, managing your oxygen needs is a straightforward task that we can take care of without any stress, lifting the burden from your shoulders so you can focus on your reasons for travel.
OxygenWorldwide has a global reach, with reputable contacts in hundreds of countries across the world, to the point that we can even arrange your oxygen supply to follow you as you move from country to country – even continent to continent.
As you would expect from a country with so many partners all over the world, our customer support staff are multilingual, so they are not only able to speak to you, our clients, in your native language, but they can do the same with the suppliers in a host of countries too – and good communication is key in any kind of logistical challenge!
Services Offered by OxygenWorldwide
Broadly speaking, OxygenWorldwide's USP (unique selling point) is customized oxygen solutions for our customers. We can arrange oxygen delivery – in the quantities and containers required – for our customers who are on holiday, staying abroad for extended periods (short-term work contracts, caring for elderly or ill relatives, or touring through multiple countries) or even those who are just traveling for a night or two.
We can organize the delivery of portable oxygen concentrators (POCs), liquid oxygen (LOX) tanks, and a range of cylinders – whatever our customers require to meet their diverse medical needs.
OxygenWorldwide also offers an emergency phone line which is monitored around the clock, so you can access urgent deliveries if necessary and also continue to enjoy our best services during unforeseen circumstances.
NB: A small caveat here: if you will require medical certificates and/ or prescriptions to access medical oxygen in your chosen destination, you must have this paperwork to hand when you travel. Also, should something untoward occur, let us know immediately, so we can quickly adapt your oxygen supply to your new needs.
Benefits of Choosing OxygenWorldwide
Our services are 100% tailored to the needs of each customer, and that means that our pricing structure is equally flexible – when we give you a quotation for your specific oxygen supply, the price given includes everything that you have asked for and nothing more. This means that your traveling with medical oxygen will not break the bank, keeping your trip as cost-effective as possible.
As well as being cost-effective, we aim to be physically efficient too: liaising with insurance agencies, emergency centers and oxygen suppliers both abroad and at home to streamline the process. The net result of this is time and money saved, as well as your oxygen needs being perfectly met.
Client Testimonials
Our clients love our medical oxygen delivery worldwide: – here are just a few comments from satisfied travelers:
"Absolutely. This is the first time we managed to arrange oxygen for my husband and it was an amazing improve of our travel. You gave us excellent and professional service and we really appreciate it!"
"Absolutely I would use it again. The level of response I received regarding questions and concerns I had were quickly answered and dealt with and I was reassured that I would have the oxygen tank ready and waiting upon my arrival. Wonderful service provider."
"I just wanted to say a quick thank you to the Oxygen Worldwide team for your services on our trip. The trip really would not have been possible without your support, and it was a great and memorable time for our family, so a very special thank you for helping us make it happen! I really appreciate it, and all the work that went into it."
"Thank you for your excellent service. The oxygen was there on arrival. I will definitely use you in future travels. You have given me confidence to step outside my home."
How to Get Started with OxygenWorldwide
As soon as you decide to travel, get in touch with OxygenWorldwide to assess your oxygen needs and discuss your itinerary. The more notice OxygenWorldwide is given, the quicker oxygen support for travelers can be put into place. It will also help to establish if there are any certificates or other paperwork that you need to fill out or have authorized before you go, so that when it is time for your voyage, there will be no nasty surprises.
Oxygen Worldwide will draw up – with your input – a map and a schedule of your oxygen needs to ensure that you are covered from the moment your holiday starts until you set foot back at home.
And during the time you are away, as long as OxygenWorldwide have all the relevant information, you will not have to worry or think about your oxygen supply – it will simply be there, ready and waiting, when you need it to be, so you can get on with the business of the day in the best possible health and with no stress or niggles about your medical needs.
OxygenWorldwide is a market leader in medical oxygen delivery worldwide – our clients say we are the best oxygen services for international travel – and deservedly so: our attention to detail, painstaking care and wide network of local suppliers in most countries in the world ensure that we can offer seamless and efficient oxygen support for travelers as diverse as back-packers, businesspeople and even honeymooners. Traveling with medical oxygen has its drawbacks, yes – but OxygenWorldwide can manage and minimize these on your behalf.
So reach out today for a no-obligation quote and see just how worry-free your travel can really be. Our team is waiting for your call, ready to assess your needs, advise you as to your options, and generally to ensure that your travel dreams can come true!
Book Your Oxygen with Confidence: A Step-by-Step Guide
There are a number of long-term medical conditions which are treated with medical oxygen. People with these conditions often long to travel and explore the world, wanting to make the most of their lives, but can sometimes feel that the issues that come with needing a regular and secure supply of portable oxygen solutions are insurmountable – or, simply too much trouble to be worth it.
And it is true that you cannot decide to travel on a whim when you have complex medical needs: traveling with medical oxygen requires proper planning and coordination with several different groups (customs and immigration, medical professionals both at home and in your destination country, and oxygen suppliers, for example). But it is perfectly possible and it's not as tricky as you might at first think. And you can make it even easier by making a one-stop call to OxygenWorldwide who have a global network of trusted partners in over a hundred countries and over thirty years experience in medical oxygen delivery worldwide. If you're looking for a step-by-step guide to arranging oxygen for travel, you have come to the right place as OxygenWorldwide ensures reliable oxygen delivery wherever you go, tailored to your specific needs. Here's some information on how to book medical oxygen for travel.
The following tips and details will guide you as to how to book medical oxygen for travel, so that your travel experience is everything that you hoped it could be: filled with long days exploring your destination country and enjoying a hassle-free oxygen supply that is waiting for you when you need so you are never stressed or concerned that your oxygen will run out.
Step 1: Visit the OxygenWorldwide Enquiry Page
Click here to visit the official enquiry page: and carefully read through the questionnaire. Make sure you check the details in the red lettering as this deals with factors you need to be aware of, such as requiring valid prescriptions or being able to provide a local contact for your accommodations.
The form gathers key details about your specific oxygen needs, and you will have to provide your some personal details (name – there is space for two names, one being the person filling out the form, the other being the oxygen user – date of birth (of oxygen user), address, phone number and email address, and nationality of the oxygen user) as well as your planned travel itinerary and information about the oxygen you will need.
Pro-Tip: The earlier you fill in the form and make your travel oxygen request, the smoother your travel arrangements will be.
Step 2: Provide Key Travel and Oxygen Details
When it comes to your travel details, you must provide your destination, or series of destinations, in the order in which you will be traveling to those countries. As soon as your travel is confirmed, the dates of both travel and hotel or apartment accommodations should be locked in, so that supply lines can be arranged with local partners. Also confirm the methods by which you will be traveling: air, rail, sea or road, as there are different regulations about the carriage of various types of portable oxygen, and these must be taken into account in order for you to enjoy seamless access to the medical products that you need.
And speaking of those products, make sure you know what kind of oxygen supply you will a) be permitted to take/ use and b) be requiring to keep yourself in good health while away from home. The various types are:
- Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC): these devices do not require you to carry filled oxygen cylinders with you, as they filter oxygen from the air. The air has a concentration of around 20% oxygen to 80% nitrogen, but a POC can filter off the nitrogen, leaving you with very nearly pure oxygen to breathe. POCs can be taken into a plane's cabin and used while on the flight if needed (and it might be, as airplane air can be as low as 15% oxygen which can cause respiratory issues for some), but do make sure that you particular make and model is one of those permitted by your airline. If not, you can hire an acceptable model before you travel – just make sure that you know how to use it and are able to reset any alerts that might go off
- Oxygen Cylinder: these are what most people think of when they think of portable oxygen, cylinders that look a little like gas bottles or scuba tanks, containing oxygen at up to 2,000 psi when full. They have regulators that control the flow of oxygen to the user, usually at around 50 psi. (By contrast, natural air is around 14 or 15 psi)
- Liquid Oxygen (LOX): Liquid oxygen is a highly concentrated form of oxygen that has the appearance of a light blueish-green (cyan) fluid. As it is released from the holding tank, it 'boils off' into a gas, with one litre of liquid oxygen capable of becoming 860 litres of breathable oxygen
You must also let OxygenWorldwide know how much oxygen you need – your flow rate and for how many hours a day you use oxygen. This will help them to ensure that you receive enough oxygen for your needs while you are travelling. It is worth visiting your medical professionals before you travel to see if any adjustments to your oxygen usage will be necessary while you are away.
And, if applicable, you should have a copy of your repeat prescription for oxygen. Some countries will not supply oxygen without a valid prescription, so ensure that you have an up-to-date prescription with you, both while setting up the oxygen supply, and also when you are abroad.
You may be rolling your eyes at the thought of giving so much detail, but the more detailed you can be at this stage, the faster and more accurate your oxygen supply will be when you need while abroad. And providing all the information, in as much detail as you can, early on in the process means that you can tick it off your pre-travel checklist and get on with planning other aspects of your holiday instead.
Step 3: OxygenWorldwide Reviews and Confirms Your Request
Once you have submitted your form, it will be assessed by the OxygenWorldwide team, and they check their local suppliers list to see who is available in your chosen destination country or countries. Once the team has ascertained that your oxygen needs can be met and has pencilled in your needs with the local team, you will receive a confirmation email detailing the availability of the oxygen you need and letting you know what the next steps are.
This email will come through within a few business days, as we need to allow our local suppliers to check their stocks, order in new supplies if necessary, and then – once everything is ready to go – let OxygenWorldwide know that everything is ready for you. The response time will vary depending on your chosen destination and your specific oxygen needs.
Step 4: Finalising Your Oxygen Supply and Payment
OxygenWorldwide will send you a quotation for your oxygen supply while you're away, and along with this will be extra pricing details and some payment options for you. Make your payment as soon as possible as this confirms your booking and ensures that the pencilled-in supply becomes firmly booked in your name, ready for your trip.
At this point, if you have not already done it, double-check your travel documents, ensuring that you have applied for (and hopefully received) any medical clearances you need, plus any additional documentation needed for traveling with oxygen. These are absolutely essential for some countries and/ or airlines, so do be sure you know exactly what you need and get your applications in asap – ignorance is never accepted as an excuse for not having the relevant paperwork.
Step 5: Oxygen Delivery and Travel Support
Before your trip, OxygenWorldwide will send you confirmation of the delivery arrangements that have been put in place for you. Check these carefully and if you need to make any changes, send through any last-minute adjustments as soon as you can.
When you are in transit, your previously arranged oxygen will be waiting for you, either at your destination or at previously established transit points, as arranged and confirmed in the run up to your travel.
Should something untoward occur while you are on your journey – one destination falls away, for example, or you decide to reverse the order of your travel for whatever reason – make use of OxygenWorldwide's emergency number. It is manned around the clock, and a fix can be put into place within a surprisingly short time. However, always let us know of any changes as soon as you possibly can to ensure a smooth transition from one plan to the next.
Using OxygenWorldwide for your medical oxygen needs will soon have you understanding exactly why they are the best oxygen supplier for international travel – you will have complete peace of mind to enjoy your trip and make the most of the new scenery and wonderful cuisines sure in the knowledge that your medical oxygen needs are being taken care of behind the scenes, so to speak.
Why Book Your Oxygen Supply with OxygenWorldwide?
To recap the reasons you should book your oxygen from the best oxygen supplier for international travel: OxygenWorldwide has trusted partners in over 100 countries worldwide; they have many years of experience in providing for a range of oxygen needs – everything from larger tanks for longer-term static use to POCs for daily excursions delivered where and when it is needed; and they are au fait with all the medical oxygen logistics that need to be accounted for. Your oxygen will be supplied to where you need it: be it the plane or cruise that you are traveling on or the hotel or serviced apartment that you will be staying in for the duration of your visit. OxygenWorldwide can also source your oxygen as you tour through multiple destinations, ensuring that you breathe easy, no matter what. And, of course, there is that 24/7 emergency line so you can keep your oxygen flowing even if something goes awry with your travel plans.
While travel is never going to be unencumbered and spontaneous when you require a steady supply of medical oxygen, getting yourself ready to head off on an adventure doesn't have to be stressful. OxygenWorldwide's careful planning and detail oriented service makes it easy and reliable. If you're ready to spread your wings a little, fill out the enquiry form at oxygenworldwide.com/en/contact/enquiries today, giving us as much information as possible.
Do it now – the holiday of a lifetime is waiting!
Ensuring Oxygen Support for Cruises and Multi-Country Tours
There are many conditions for which you might require medical oxygen, and some of these conditions are chronic, which means that they last for a very long time. It should come as no surprise that people with these conditions still want to live as full and happy a life as they can – and that includes traveling and exploring the world, even taking lengthy cruises or enjoying multi-country 'Grand Tour' style journeys.
However, managing oxygen supplies while traveling with oxygen on a cruise is vital: no one will enjoy anything if they are struggling to breathe or if they are worrying about whether their precious supply will run out before they have time to source a replacement or a refill. This is where cruises and multiple destination holidays can be a tiny bit of a problem: coping with the logistics of getting a good supply of oxygen when needed is made more difficult when you are dealing with variable levels of availability and even different regulations in each new place.
But do not despair : OxygenWorldwide is waiting to ensure smooth oxygen delivery to you at every stop along the way, from the moment you step onboard your cruise liner to your safe return home – and the same applies to land-based stays in various countries. OxygenWorldwide has the best oxygen solutions for cruise and multi-destination trips, from portable devices for day trips to large tanks for overnight high-flow use, as discussed next.
Understanding Oxygen Needs for Cruises and Multi-Destination Travel
Types of Oxygen Solutions Available:
Multi-country travel with oxygen can require the use of one of several different types of oxygen equipment:
- Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POCs) – these devices are suitable for use onboard your cruise liner and during the day when you are out and about on excursions.
- Oxygen Cylinders – Suitable for longer-term use, overnight or for short-term high-flow use for people whose oxygen needs are greater than can be satisfied by a Portable Oxygen Concentrator. They are also suitable for those who need occasional use of oxygen during the night, but not a constant flow. This middle-of-the-road solution is an ideal starting point if you aren't sure how much oxygen you will need at first – if your needs are especially high, your medical professionals will almost certainly have already let you know.
- Liquid Oxygen – Also known as LOX, this is a highly compact form of oxygen. One litre of the cyan (light blue) liquid will expand out into 860 litres of gaseous oxygen – which makes the refusal of airlines to carry liquid oxygen much more understandable! For the reasons of how very expansive LOX is, quite often ordering it requires special arrangements to be made. But this compactness is also why long-term and heavy oxygen users prefer it – a little goes a very long way.
Doctor's Recommendations: whenever you are about to travel (or even thinking about planning a trip), you should consult your medical team. Let them know where you will be going and when; ask about vaccinations you might need, especially those that might have an effect on your existing condition; and – having done your research yourself, it is not your doctor's responsibility to know all the ins and outs of traveling to every country in the world – get any certificates of ability to travel and proofs of vaccination that you might need. Check what is needed regularly in the run-up to your trip, as regulations can sometimes change with little notice, and there is nothing worse than being turned away from immigration and customs because of a recent rule change of which you were unaware. Your physician can also let you know if you need to increase your flow rate and warn you about possible effects of traveling that you haven't yet considered.
Planning for Oxygen Use on a Cruise
Always check your chosen cruise line's policy regarding medical oxygen support for cruises and whether they allow passengers to supply their own oxygen. In some cases, you will simply need to let them know which oxygen products you are bringing on board so they can pre-approve them, while in others you will need to liaise with the line to source oxygen from a source they know and approve of.
Among other things, make sure that you have access to electrical outlets in your cabin – these are vital in ensuring that your portable oxygen concentrator remains charged and ready for action. Don't forget to check what power system the outlets use, and buy a couple of adaptors to make sure that, no matter what, you can plug in your oxygen equipment
Make sure you let your cruise line know your oxygen needs and ensure you get confirmation that your needs can be met. There is often a strictly limited supply of oxygen on board the ship, so those who do not announce their needs are very likely to miss out on vital supplies.
Once again, OxygenWorldwide can help by coordinating oxygen supplies with the cruise line before your departure so you can enjoy a hassle-free cruising experience.
Managing Oxygen Needs for Multi-Country Tours
Crossing borders with oxygen can be a fraught business as the rules can change, sometimes very dramatically, from one country to the next. Find out about carrying oxygen cylinders, both full and empty, about refilling empty containers and generally ensure that you will be freely able to access the oxygen you need without needing a special dispensation. (And obviously, if you do need that dispensation, make sure you ask for and receive it in good time before you travel.)
If you are traveling by air at all along the way, be sure you understand the airport screening procedures for oxygen concentrators and cylinders, so you are prepared. Usually, you will have to check your empty cylinders, but will be able (with appropriate permissions) to go into the body of the plane with your POC.
When you are enjoying multi-country travel with oxygen, you should ensure that you have accounted for your oxygen refills and cylinder replacements by checking that products that suit your needs are available in each country, before you go. Often setting up a supply chain takes time so you must allow for it to be put into place before you need it.
With cruises and multi-destination travel, you have another factor to take into account, along with the oxygen that you need at our hotel room or in transport hubs – you must consider what oxygen you will need while actually in transit: on a train or coach, in an airplane – even on the road in a hired car. Whatever your mode of transportation, you must only use portable oxygen devices that are approved for each flight, rail or road travel.
OxygenWorldwide is practiced at supplying oxygen across multiple countries, with trading partners in almost every country in the world, to ensure a smooth handover at each stop along the way of your multi-country travel with oxygen. If you want the best oxygen solutions for cruise and multi-destination trips, you can do no better than getting in touch with OxygenWorldwide, no matter where in the world you are going.
Essential Travel Tips for Oxygen Users on Cruises and Multi-Destination Trips
The following tips can help to make your travels a little easier as you explore the world and make your own dreams come true.
- Book oxygen friendly accommodations – ensure your hotel or cabin has the right power supply and that you are free to use it. Ensure the power point is in a good position to accommodate your equipment
- Carry a back-up supply – always have extra batteries, a spare cylinder (if necessary) and an emergency supply of oxygen that will get you through in the case of unexpected delays
- Carry a pulse oximeter to keep an eye on your oxygen saturation, so you can tell when your levels are beginning to fall, without having to wait until they are so low that you feel the effects. This will give you a chance to sort the problem before it becomes one!
- Emergency contacts should be easily accessible on your person, so if you suffer a medical emergency, you can receive prompt attention from people who are aware of your condition. Also carry a list of emergency contacts and local medical professionals at each destination, who will be able to help you out if you need urgent treatment
Why OxygenWorldwide is the Best Travel Partner for Oxygen Users
No matter if you need medical oxygen support for cruises, information about multi-country travel with oxygen, or just some reassurance that you will be able to take care of your medical needs while traveling about, OxygenWorldwide is the answer, offering the best oxygen solutions for cruise and multi-destination trips to users with needs as diverse as the occasional puff of air to those who need a constant high-rate flow at all times. Trusted local partners ensure that your needs are met, seamlessly and effortlessly.
Even if you are traveling and will be out at sea or in the air, we can be there for you, coordinating oxygen delivery before embarkation, during the trip at every destination and even on your arrival home, giving you that last bit of puff to get you home.
This service is seamlessly offered at airports, transit stations, rail stations and ports, among many other points of travel. And OxygenWorldwide offers a 24/7 service, with an emergency line that is manned around the clock so you never feel that you are alone on your journey.
To conclude: you absolutely can enjoy cruises and multi-destination voyages even with quite a heavy reliance on medical oxygen. All you need to do is make your plans as early as possible – and get in touch with OxygenWorldwide to work out the logistics on your behalf.
Traveling with Oxygen: Managing Post-Covid-19 Complications on the Go
For many, the COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly becoming an unpleasant memory: something that happened, but now we can move on and get back to whatever it was we were doing in December 2019. But for a significant proportion of people who fell ill with the virus, life has not returned to normal, and medical professionals cannot say with any certainty that it ever will. Long covid, as the condition is known, is a lingering viral ‘scar’, if you will, damage caused by the illness that lingers after the virus has run its course, and leaving people affected in different ways, depending on how badly they suffered from the illness, and where in their body it attacked the most ferociously. For those whose lungs took the strain – about 11% of those who caught Covid-19 at least once – their symptoms range from having to carefully manage their exertion, and perhaps use a daily ‘preventer’ inhaler while for others it has changed their lives, leaving them reliant on a regular supply of supplementary oxygen, and unable to resume many of their previous activities and exercises.
These patients can find their lives quite restricted, but it is possible, even with long Covid acting like a ball and chain to slow you down, to travel, enjoy holidays and days out, and have good quality of life, as long as you plan carefully and take steps to ensure that your condition can be properly managed, no matter where you are. Here are some tips and advice on how to travel with supplemental oxygen after COVID.
Understanding Oxygen Needs Post-Covid-19
Long Covid is still a poorly understood condition because it has only been around and designated a specific condition in the last four years or so. Because of Covid-19’s habit of attacking different body parts and affecting them in different ways, diagnosis and treatment of Long Covid has been complicated, but oxygen therapy for long covid patients is one of the treatments that has not only worked on Long Covid patients with lung issues, but also with other problems, because oxygen therapy works on the whole body, not just on the respiratory system – but it is especially good for people with persistent lung issues.
If you are planning on traveling, it is important that you visit your healthcare professionals and let them know your plans so they can help you ensure that you are legally compliant to travel and that you are healthy enough to make the trip and have a good time while you are there.
Pre-Travel Preparations
Therefore, before you book your flights and start reading the guide book to your preferred destination, pick up the phone and call your doctor instead! Get a full check-up and let them know which country or countries you are hoping to visit so that they can properly advise you as to what vaccinations you must get and any precautions you will need to take. They will often also be able to advise you as to what medical certification you need, but don’t rely on this: you should find out for yourself what paperwork is needed, and, if necessary, ask for it.
If you will need oxygen at your destination, but also on the plane, you should discuss with your doctor the various options available to you and of course get in touch with OxygenWorldwide. Usually, you will be able to use an oxygen concentrator on board a plane, but not an oxygen cylinder or LOX canister. And do be mindful that the air on a plane is often thinner than that on the ground, and as such it can cause your illness to flare up. You may be able to carry oxygen cylinders with you in your checked luggage, but they will have to be empty, so you must arrange for them to be filled at your destination. Do not leave this to chance: make sure you coordinate well with Oxygen Worldwide for your destination weeks before you go, and further ensure that everything is in place just before you travel, to make sure that you won’t be let down.
Read carefully through all the regulations regarding the transportation and use of medical oxygen. This paperwork can be dense and quite daunting, but it will let you know what equipment you can take and use on board, what you need your doctor to give you, waiver-wise, and the rules and regulations (and the penalties for deciding to ignore any of these conditions) so you are well prepared when it comes time to make your bookings and start paying out your hard-earned cash.
Managing Oxygen During Travel
Having checked beforehand that your model of portable oxygen concentrator is allowed on your flight (and perhaps hired one that is permissible, if necessary) your work is not yet done. You must work out how much battery power you will need for your flight – and then double it to protect you against possible delays. It is always best to assume that you will be using batteries only, as power outlets on flights are neither prolific nor guaranteed to be available to you.
On the day before your flight (sometimes two days before) you will have to virtually check in your equipment, so that the officials are expecting it when you come along on the day. Make sure that you know how to manage your portable concentrator, from setting it up to packing it away and – importantly, understanding how to respond to any alarms or warnings that go off on the device. You will be expected to take full responsibility for your device during the flight, so make sure that you know all the ins and outs. Make sure you know the weight allowance you are permitted for your medical device – it is usually around 7 kilograms or less.
If you’re traveling by other means: train, perhaps, or car or bus, there are fewer restrictions on what portable oxygen you can take with you. However, there are still going to be restrictions on how much space you can take up, and possibly controls on oxygen cylinders. This is even more likely if you will be crossing borders, so do make sure you know what is and is not allowed. Obviously, traveling in your own vehicle is a bit different – you can carry what you like, within reason – but any customs and immigrations rules will need to be allowed for.
Once you’ve arrived at your destination, you do not want to be surprised to discover that your electrical oxygen therapy equipment won’t plug in to the electrics – or even that the property is ‘off-grid’, relying on wood or smokeless coal and candles and lanterns! Ensure that you have a clear and confirmed yes to a power source for your oxygen needs, and also that the owner of the property is aware of how vital your access to oxygen is.
Destination Planning
Countries with much higher altitude than you are used to might cause your breathing issues to worsen, so you should consult your doctor, being specific about the altitude of the part of the country in which you will be staying, asking directly if the medic thinks that you will be negatively affected by the height above sea-level. The higher you are, the lower the natural percentage of oxygen will be, so you may need a higher flow-rate than usual.
Before you travel, find two or three medical facilities close to your accommodation (ask the hotel staff too, if they have a concierge service with local doctors that you can use, if you need medical assistance) and get in touch with them. Let them know when you will be coming and ask if you can be signed on as a temporary patient for the duration of your stay. Hopefully, you will never need to take them up on it, but it is better to have it unused than not have the service available and need it desperately.
While Covid-19 is largely under control thanks to world-wide vaccination programmes, there are still new strains of both covid and flu coming along all the time, so you should be careful when you travel – one souvenir you do not want to bring home is another illness that sets you even further back in your recovery! Be aware of what guidelines there are in your destination country, and don’t feel self-conscious about wearing masks or maintaining safe distances from other people: you know your own health limitations and traveling with oxygen after COVID-19 is hard enough without adding anxiety to your worries!
Emergency Preparedness
Flying with oxygen and post-COVID complications is a big step, especially if you are slowly coming out of your lockdown-inspired bubble and expanding your horizons by getting back into travel. And you don’t want to risk anything going wrong and setting you back, or even making you worse than before. Therefore, it is infinitely better to have multiple back-up plans: contact details of emergency services, knowledge about where you can seek medical aid at short notice, and a solid plan on where and when you can access refills for your portable oxygen, should you begin to run out.
It is always sensible to be insured when traveling, and this is even more meaningful when you are traveling with oxygen after COVID-19. Make sure that your specific needs are covered by the policy, even if you have to pay a little extra to get the benefits you need, and ensure that the policy is set up and has been paid for so you can claim if you need to.
With care planning and the right resources, you absolutely can travel with oxygen, even after Covid-19 complications have impacted your life. Flying with oxygen and post-COVID complications is tricky, yes, but it is not impossible, so you do not have to abandon your dreams in order to look after your health: both are achievable!
However, it will not necessarily be an easy voyage, so make sure you use whatever resources are available to you, contact us and implement support plans that will facilitate your travel plans. And… bon voyage!
Travelling with Pulmonary Fibrosis: How to Manage Your Oxygen Needs on the Go
Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition in which the lungs have become scarred. There are many diseases and incidents which can cause pulmonary fibrosis – over 200 diseases, in total. The symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis are, primarily, difficulty in breathing. This is because the tiny alveoli (air sacs in the lungs) are damaged and do not function as effectively as they should. If you are diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, your doctor will try to find out the cause of the lung scarring, but they will also begin to treat you right away. Treatment includes medications to stop or delay the progress of the condition, physical therapy to ensure you get the best from your lungs without risking further damage, and also relieving treatments such as the use of medical oxygen to ensure that you are comfortable and as healthy as possible. If you will be traveling to higher altitudes or plan on trying out some physical activity, you may also need oxygen to cope with the greater oxygen demands that your body will make under these conditions.
Wait, can you travel with pulmonary fibrosis, you might be saying? It is often the case that when we are ill, we assume that we cannot and should not travel, but this would mean that people with irreversible but manageable conditions or chronic illnesses would never travel! You absolutely can travel with pulmonary fibrosis – as long as you take some basic precautions and make sensible preparations before you go. OxygenWorldwide is a logistical expert in oxygen delivery for travelers with lung disease, and have a worldwide network of suppliers who work seamlessly to ensure that you receive the oxygen you need when you need it.
Why Do Pulmonary Fibrosis Patients Need Oxygen While Traveling?
Your experience of pulmonary fibrosis might be a mild one, and yet, when you ask your doctor about traveling, they might strongly recommend that you organize some portable oxygen for your trip – oxygen that is a known hazard on flights and sure to be a pain to try and arrange! Why would you need something that you don't necessarily need all the time at home?
The short answer is altitude, exertion and exposure! If you are visiting places with very different climates to those you are used to, it can affect your breathing ability in unexpected ways. The higher up you go, altitude-wise, the thinner the air around you, plus you will be putting in more physical effort as you explore the country. Even walking around an airport can take a fair amount of effort on your part – and more effort requires more oxygen! And finally, levels of pollution, the ambient temperature, and even the natural humidity of your destination country might be uncomfortable for your level of pulmonary fibrosis, causing you issues that you do not experience at home.
It is important to listen to your doctor's advice about ensuring a good supply of supplemental oxygen for your voyage as pulmonary fibrosis does more than simply make you feel breathless: it actively reduces your lung function which causes low levels of oxygen in your body (hypoxemia) which can be very serious indeed.
If you have no idea how to arrange oxygen for travel with pulmonary fibrosis, this is easily overcome: OxygenWorldwide can help you to travel with confidence, ensuring a timely and convenient supply of oxygen to you at your destination – or even destinations, if you are planning a tour.
Challenges of Traveling with Pulmonary Fibrosis and Oxygen
The challenges of traveling with pulmonary fibrosis are similar to the challenges of living at home with the condition: you must manage your energy levels so that you do not overexert yourself and become exhausted, and you must ensure that you take with you all your medications and treatments – it can be all too easy to lose one's routine away from home, leading to missed medications, exercises not correctly performed and trying to do too much because it is all so new and exciting.
Traveling with oxygen, especially flying with oxygen for pulmonary fibrosis is equally trying: there are so many rules and regulations about the transport and storage of oxygen, especially on planes, that it can seem quite daunting when you are also trying to organize accommodation, tickets to events and landmarks, planning your itinerary and transportation, and more – and all of this potentially in a foreign language! For most commercial airlines, you will have to use an FAA-approved POC (portable oxygen concentrator) rather than an oxygen cylinder, and you will have to ensure that your chosen airline is aware of your need for oxygen and what equipment you will be bringing along with you. And quite apart from airlines, some countries have very strict oxygen regulations too! As well as this, there are also some – although usually less stringent than air travel – restrictions on trains and cruise liners, so, once again, you will have to make sure that you know the ins and outs before you commit to your choice of transportation.
But don't despair: there is nearly always a way to achieve your aims of traveling with pulmonary fibrosis and oxygen – and the easiest way is to allow OxygenWorldwide to make all the plans for you! Apart from their extensive network of local oxygen suppliers, OxygenWorldwide will take care of all the logistics, regulations and more, so the end result is you receiving your oxygen, in the form you need it, when and where you need it, no matter if that is as you leave the plane on arrival, at your hotel or Airbnb, and also being on hand for refills and/ or back-up supplies. OxygenWorldwide also operate a 24-7 emergency line, so you can get in touch instantly should something untoward happen, flexibly adjusting their delivery schedule to meet your new needs promptly. (However, if your plans change, do let them know as soon as possible to ensure that their oxygen delivery for travelers with lung disease like yourself can be tweaked for a seamless and worry-free experience.)
Flying with Oxygen for Pulmonary Fibrosis
Just as you will have to check your luggage for disallowed items and meet all the criteria for traveling (shoes that are easy to remove, limited fluids, clear bags and containers, etc) so too must you prepare for flying with oxygen and pulmonary fibrosis.
As soon as you decide to travel, you should run it past your doctor or medical team. Often, you will need a medical certificate stating that you need medical oxygen in order to be permitted to take your oxygen equipment on board the plane. Your doctor will also check you over and make sure that you are fit enough to travel. When you book your tickets, make sure you note that you require medical oxygen, and then reiterate this at least 48 hours in advance of your flight, to be sure that everyone concerned knows about your needs and is prepared for your arrival. On the plane itself, you will most likely only be permitted an oxygen concentrator which uses the natural atmosphere to filter nearly pure oxygen for your use while onboard, but even here you must ensure that your concentrator is one of those approved by both the FAA and your chosen airline. Finally, make sure you have some spare batteries so that your equipment will be available to you even if there are some delays along the way.
At the Airport
Take steps to look after your health as you travel, for example, by using energy friendly methods: use a wheelchair inside the airport so as not to exert yourself by walking the sometimes considerable distances to the departure gates. Arrive early so you never have to rush, and always double- and even triple-check the details – it is infinitely better to feel a little foolish than risk not being able to protect your health!
OxygenWorldwide can arrange for your oxygen to be brought to you at the airport, if you like, and they will support you at every step of the way from check-in to boarding to disembarkation when they can be waiting for you as you step off the plane.
Choosing the Right Oxygen Solution for Travel
When it comes to oxygen equipment, there are a number of choices:
- Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POCs): these are ideal for when you are travelling and are, as mentioned above, often the only option permitted on air travel, and they are also great for when you are out and about during the day, visiting museums, attending concerts and other events and generally exploring your holiday destination. They are relatively small (about the size and weight of a sturdy backpack) and are ideal for continuous use for three to four hours at a time
- Oxygen Cylinders: best for use in static locations, for example at your hotel room for use as needed during the day and night. These are big and heavy containers, and they hold several days' worth of oxygen at one time
- Liquid Oxygen (LOX): the sort of supply you will have in long-term accommodations or at your home. Liquid oxygen is stored under pressure, bubbling into gas as needed, and the containers are very heavy and should be left in place once installed, only being moved to be serviced or refilled. These are perfect for patients who need a long-term constant supply of oxygen or who have a high oxygen use-rate
OxygenWorldwide can advise you on the best oxygen solutions for your itinerary and needs, so that your holiday is as comfortable and hassle-free as possible, with all your oxygen needs met in a way that does not overly burden you with extra weight or worries about your oxygen running out.
Managing Pulmonary Fibrosis While Travelling
Just as at the airport, avoid overexerting yourself: use wheelchairs when they are available, plan well in advance so you can walk slowly and mindfully, plan plenty of rest stops and use whatever mobility assistance is available. Monitor your condition by periodically checking your blood oxygen levels with a pulse oximeter, and stay well-hydrated with clean cool water. Avoid pollution if you can, using masks and closing windows if necessary – pollutants and dehydration can both worsen the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis.
One of life's adages is 'prepare for the worst but hope for the best' and that includes planning for potential emergencies while you are traveling. Know where the nearest hospitals are, have a few emergency contacts stored in your phone and on paper in readily accessible places, and always have a tentative back-up plan, just in case.
Bear in mind that OxygenWorldwide has that emergency line: take note of it and use it if you need to: it exists to offer round-the-clock support for oxygen-related travel concerns!
Why OxygenWorldwide is the Best Travel Partner for Pulmonary Fibrosis Patients
OxygenWorldwide has a global network of trusted partners who work to supply oxygen needs worldwide. We can meet you on arrival at your destination country, oversee your oxygen supply throughout your stay, and even see you safely off onto the next leg of your trip, whether that is going back home, or moving onto another country, passing you onto to the next local partner. We tailor our service to the needs of our customers, ensuring a seamless and safe oxygen delivery system for each traveler. We provide peace of mind so you can, literally, breathe easy as you explore the world.
Traveling with pulmonary fibrosis is possible if you prepare carefully for your trip, consulting your doctor beforehand and taking onboard any advice you are given. If you're planning a trip soon – or would like to – contact OxygenWorldwide as a first port of call for expert advice and guidance, and to access hassle-free oxygen travel solutions.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea and the Use of Medical Oxygen When Traveling
Sleep apnea is a potentially serious medical condition in which – for a variety of reasons – the sufferer briefly stops breathing during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea is the variation of the condition in which the muscles of the throat relax too much, allowing the airflow to the lungs to become blocked. While some causes of obstructive sleep apnea are remediable – such as losing excess weight, using allergy medications, changing the position of one's body during sleep and so on – sometimes the condition needs medical intervention. During a period of sleep apnea, you can wake as many as thirty to fifty times per hour, your body triggering an alarm that causes you to wake enough to tighten the throat muscles to allow breathing, before you fall back to sleep. And often, you will be unaware of just how often you have woken up during the night, only knowing that you feel unrefreshed and fatigued during the day. Obstructive sleep apnea is often signaled by loud snoring, but this is not always the case, so it is always best to seek a medical diagnosis if you experience any of the symptoms of sleep apnea which include:
- Being observed (usually by family members or partners) to stop breathing during your sleep
- Gasping for breath
- Waking with a dry mouth
- Waking with a headache
- Trouble staying asleep
- Signs of having had poor sleep: irritability, daytime sleepiness, poor concentration
Once you've been diagnosed, you can usually go about your usual life as normal with a small caveat of having to make allowances for your treatment. Treatment for sleep apnea changes depending on the severity of the condition. Mild cases can be treated with, as mentioned above, dietary changes (which can also include not eating for several hours before bed to allow for digestion to have taken place), using appropriate antihistamines or allergy medications, and sleeping on one's side rather than on one's back. While the most serious cases might need surgical intervention, this is relatively rare and most severe cases require the use of medical oxygen, usually at night in the form of a CPAP or BiPAP machine. CPAP means 'continuous positive airway pressure' and the machine essentially forces your airways to stay open by providing an oxygen-rich flow of air. BiPAP stands for 'bilevel positive airway pressure' and it is so named because it allows two different levels of pressure for inhaling and exhaling, which can be more comfortable to some users. Let's have a look at how CPAP/ BiPAP machines help and whether you will have to curtail your travel plans should you be prescribed oxygen therapy of this sort.
Why Do Some Sleep Apnea Patients Need Oxygen?
One of the issues caused by sleep apnea is low blood oxygen levels (also known as hypoxemia), which can itself cause a number of issues from being fatigued and headachy to becoming fatal if your blood oxygen levels drop too low. While CPAP machines can operate just using regular air with its natural mix of 20% oxygen to 80% nitrogen, studies have found that combining the positive airflow with higher percentages of oxygen are even more successful at overcoming the issues caused by sleep apnea and also to maintain stable oxygen levels in your body.
Just a little research can show you that traveling with sleep apnea and oxygen delivery devices can be tricky – but a little more research will show that it's not impossible, as long as you meet all the (rather stringent) requirements, that is.
Fortunately, companies like OxygenWorldwide are in business exactly to help patients who need medical oxygen while on the go and abroad. They have connections in nearly all countries all over the world, and are often au fait with the regulations of various airlines and other methods of transportation and can advise and guide you, as well as ensuring that your needs are appropriately met.
Key Challenges of Traveling with Sleep Apnea and Oxygen
If you are planning your travels and asking yourself if you can travel with sleep apnea and oxygen treatments, you will need to take into account the following concerns.
CPAP and BiPAP machines – along with the portable oxygen concentrator that you might also need – can be very bulky, using both a lot of space and a lot of your weight allowance. Secondly, many airlines do not provide in-flight oxygen as standard, and you will need to provide your own portable oxygen concentrator (POC) for use on the flight – and it will have to be FAA-approved!
When you are planning your flight and, indeed, the whole trip, take into account the altitudes you will be experiencing, both when on the plane and in the destination country. Differing altitudes can affect your condition, lowering your blood oxygen levels still further and worsening symptoms or making your treatments less effective.
Check out your accommodations too – not all hotel rooms or ship's cabins come with plentiful power points and often they are nowhere near the bed, where you would need them. Mention your needs in your booking – which you should make in good time before you travel – and ensure that you receive a positive response that your needs can and will be met.
If you have any doubts, get OxygenWorldwide involved in the process, as they will known the best oxygen solutions for sleep apnea travelers and can provide oxygen to your hotel or serviced apartment, and will be able to advise on the best equipment to meet your needs and the provision of the accommodations.
Flying with Oxygen and a CPAP/ BiPAP Machine
Before you book your flights, check out the airline's rules and regulations on the carriage of oxygen and breathing aids such as CPAP and BiPAP machines. Ask hard questions and if the person you are speaking to doesn't know or isn't sure, ask to be escalated upward until you reach someone who can let you know the ins and outs of traveling with sleep apnea and oxygen treatments.
Before you actually fly, make sure you know exactly what the airline's policies are, and ensure that you have any medical certifications and/ or clearances to travel that you need. Also ensure that your oxygen equipment meets the airline's stringent criteria and is FAA or EASA approved (depending on whether you are flying on an American or European airline), so you will not be faced with any unexpected problems when you are trying to board.
Packing the Essentials
It is annoying enough when you go away, whether on holiday or for work, to realize you've forgotten something like your phone charger or external drive cable. But not having the spare batteries and power adaptors that your CPAP or BiPAP machine requires is much more serious: accessories for these devices are trickier for the layman to source unexpectedly in a strange city, they tend to be fairly expensive, and your need of them will be fairly urgent, requiring immediate action on your part.
Once again, this is where OxygenWorldwide comes into play, offering excellent oxygen delivery for travelers with sleep apnea and other respiratory conditions in most countries in the world. Not only can the company ensure your medical oxygen gets to your hotel room to be ready and waiting for you, but they can greet you right off the plane to ensure you start your visit in the best possible health.
Finding the Right Oxygen Solution for Travel
There are several types of portable oxygen options:
- Portable oxygen concentrators: ideal for flights and mobility needs (use while you are out and about, in short), these devices filter oxygen from the air around us, delivering it to you at your desired concentration
- Oxygen cylinders are suitable for short-term use at destinations: for example, if you are watching an event unfold, or are generally out of the house and away from your main oxygen supply set-up
- Liquid oxygen (LOX) is ideal for home use, or for use while in a rehabilitation or recovery center for a long-term stays
OxygenWorldwide is perfectly suited to finding you the best oxygen solution for your specific needs, using your trip details: itinerary, destinations, personal oxygen needs – to come up with a comprehensive and efficient delivery system tailored to you.
Arranging Oxygen at Your Destination
You should take every precaution when it comes to making sure that you will be able to access and use your oxygen treatments when you travel – but it is not always as easy as that sounds. There can be language barriers, cultural differences that don't translate well when it comes to promises made being upheld, and even cost issues to factor in, especially if you are travelling to a developing country. Even something as apparently simple as ensuring an electrical outlet near the bed can be something of a minefield with one of three different types of plug socket in use depending on where you're going.
And sometimes, no matter how early you make arrangements and try to ensure a good supply of oxygen for the duration of your trip, it is just not possible to rely on oxygen supplies being readily available when you need them. Therefore, your oxygen supplies should be pre-arranged. OxygenWorldwide is practiced in delivering international oxygen supplies and they will – once you've entered into an agreement with them – take steps to ensure that your needs are met in a timely and seamless manner. We do this by having a wide-spreading network of local suppliers and delivery companies, all of whom are vetted to work to our high standards of customer care.
Tips for Managing Sleep Apnea and Oxygen While Traveling
Returning to the specifics of traveling with sleep apnea and oxygen, here are some pro-tips to make your voyage pass smoothly and safely:
- Opt for direct flights whenever you can – anything that increases the risk of you being stuck for long hours without ready access to oxygen should be actively avoided. Work on the principle of Murphy's Law, plan for those variables you can control and avoid those that you cannot.
- Keep your medical equipment in your carry-on bag, and keep it with you at all times. You are only as safe as your portable oxygen treatments, so don't risk someone else's carelessness if you can avoid it.
- Plan your oxygen refills actively, especially if trips are going to be exceptionally long, or even if they will be more than usually tiring.
- Have local contacts who are aware of your medical condition, understand the treatments and who will advocate for you in the event that you are incapacitated.
In most of these cases, OxygenWorldwide is your one-stop-shop, providing oxygen in multiple destinations and confidently dealing with even the most complex itineraries.
Why OxygenWorldwide is the Best Partner for Sleep Apnea Patients
Sleep apnea is a strange condition – debilitating and potentially lethal (under the right, very niche, circumstances) at night, but not really a problem during the day for most sufferers. This can lead to misunderstandings on the part of suppliers who may not realize that your night-time oxygen needs are urgent. OxygenWorldwide understands the problem, and will work tirelessly to ensure your oxygen is supplied as needed from the moment of your arrival to the second of your departure. Further than that, we will work with trusted oxygen suppliers to tailor a delivery plan that best suits your needs – and our experienced staff will take the burden of arranging your own oxygen supplies from your hands, freeing up your time to enjoy planning out your visit.
Can you travel with sleep apnea and oxygen treatments? In short, yes, you can! With the right planning and the support of OxygenWorldwide, your travel arrangements can be organized, stress-free and liberating. Contact OxygenWorldwide today for more information about our oxygen travel solutions and how we can make your life easier.
Exploring the World with Medical Oxygen: Yes, It’s Possible!
Janet* always wanted to travel, ever since she was a child reading stories about wonderful places all over the world. But Janet has cystic fibrosis and needs regular home-based oxygen therapy. Her parents have always told her that her life would have to accommodate her illness and that there will be things that she could not do because of it. Maurice* has severe asthma, barely kept in check by his preventer inhaler. He uses oxygen therapy at night to ensure that he is rested. He has given up on his dreams of going on tour with his favourite international rugby team, traveling widely across the southern hemisphere. A working lifetime spent in a textile factory, especially before health and safety legislation was enacted has seen Chris* developing COPD, the management of which requires the near constant supply of high concentrations of oxygen throughout the day and night – Chris's dreams to visit family abroad have been shelved due to this condition.
And these three people are not alone. Many people long to travel but believe that their illness is too serious and that managing it will be too much bother to be worth trying.
But, this is not true at all. Yes, there is a bit more to do logistically, and you will have to start planning your holiday or tour early on in the process and be very thorough with it – but traveling with medical oxygen is possible and you can have a great time away from home, even while relying on your oxygen supply while traveling to keep you happy and healthy to enjoy it all.
You may be thinking, 'Hey? But I need oxygen all the time! I can't go on a plane without my supplementary oxygen and it's a hazardous chemical, it's banned!' And this is broadly true – many airlines do not allow any oxygen cylinders to be brought along with them, and there seems to be a hard and fast agreement on this. However, digging a little deeper, into the various international travel authorities shows that there is some leeway when it comes to flying with oxygen: the TSA, known for being incredibly strict, says the following: 'Personal oxygen is permitted if the regulatory valve has not been tampered with or removed. Unless being used for personal medical oxygen, the gas cylinder regulator valve must be completely disconnected from the cylinder (in other words, the cylinder has an open end that allows the TSA officer to visually inspect the cylinder)' [per https://www.tsa.gov/ emphasis the writer's own].
As well as this tiny offer of some medical oxygen cylinders being permitted on board flights – and do check with your chosen airline well in advance and make sure you meet all their requirements and have confirmations from them before you head to the airport.
So much for the flight – what about accessing portable medical oxygen while you are abroad, potentially facing language and culture barriers as well as treatment differences and their associated costs? This is where companies like OxygenWorldwide can help you. Working with a huge array of local partners in countries all over the world, they will help ensure your oxygen supply while traveling, delivering it where it is needed, when it is needed – they will even meet you right off the plane, if that's what you need.
Let's have a look at how to travel with oxygen and how OxygenWorldwide can help you realise your dreams of touring the world.
Can You Travel with Medical Oxygen? Absolutely!
As we have seen from the section above, talking about how restrictive traveling with medical oxygen can be, it is easy to assume that other methods of travel, and indeed places like Airbnb rooms, hotels, self-contained flats and more, must have similar restrictions and be unwilling to take on the responsibility of having an unwell person staying with them. But this is not the case at all. Many people travel with medical conditions that require some form of allowances to be made, including their use of medical oxygen: from athletes like Serena Williams, Michael Phelps, Christiano Ronaldo and Tiger Woods, to stars like Lady Gaga, Billy Joel and Keith Urban – all have used portable oxygen to heal from injuries faster, to sleep better and more restfully, and to maintain their good looks and high energy levels.
Any time you need to invest in oxygen for travel, you will have to check with your airline about what forms of oxygen therapy you can take and use on board the plane – and it is mainly planes that have restrictions on oxygen, due to the fact that flying happens at altitude, which can affect the way oxygen cylinders behave. Most airlines are sanguine about oxygen concentrators, which do not have any compressed oxygen at all, instead using the air around you to filter out the high proportion of nitrogen and leaving nearly pure oxygen for your use while onboard so if you have any doubts, that might be the way to go. Other options include oxygen cylinders (usually a hard no on flights) and liquid oxygen (or LOX) tanks which are a useful solution for regular oxygen users who need to be out and about for a lot of the day.
Other forms of public transport tend to allow traveling with oxygen as long as the equipment and cylinder do not take up too much space and encroach on other passengers' comfort and safety. But, as always, it is worth calling ahead and making sure – it is better to ask and not need to have done so than the alternative.
Planning Ahead: The Key to a Smooth Trip
As mentioned in the introduction, you must plan ahead if you're looking to sort out your oxygen supply while traveling. This is simply to allow your chosen supplier – someone like OxygenWorldwide – the time they need to source oxygen from their contacts on the ground and arrange for deliveries to be made at the times and places that suit you. Once you make contact, with your planned itinerary, OxygenWorldwide will spring into action and ensure that all your needs are seamlessly met.
If you have never traveled while needing oxygen before, there are some key steps you should be aware of.
- Consult your doctor about your proposed visits, ask if there are any special precautions you should take, and ask for a medical certificate stating that your need for oxygen while traveling is genuine.
- Plan which equipment you will take with you, which you will need access to while staying abroad and plan out how you will get about during the day. Knowing your own oxygen needs will help you choose the right equipment to enhance your journey and keep you breathing comfortably as you travel.
- Consult the operators of your preferred method of travel, and using their policies and regulations as a guideline, plan your oxygen delivery accordingly.
- Make sure you involve OxygenWorldwide as early in the process as possible: not only can they take care of a lot of the logistical issues on your behalf, but with a long timeframe in which to work, they can ensure that your oxygen needs are met effortlessly – making it so easy that will you'll wonder why you haven't travelled before!
Traveling by Air, Land, and Sea with Oxygen
If you're not sure of how to find the information you need – and sometimes websites can have the relevant bits of information tucked away deep in the FAQs or even in the lengthy terms and conditions – you can always phone or email the airline and ask what their in-flight oxygen policies are, and whether they offer in-flight oxygen services to passengers who need it. The same applies to ferries, international trains, and even coach travel: in every case, usually just asking the question will be enough to get you the answers you need.
Flying with Oxygen
Some airlines do offer onboard oxygen for people who have proven that they need it. Once again, you will have to ask specific questions of your chosen airline to find out if they are one, or if you will have to source a portable oxygen concentrator to take with you for the duration of the flight. Your doctor will be able to organise a hypoxic challenge test, which exposes you to similar oxygen saturations that you will experience onboard the plane, to see how your body reacts to a pressurised cabin atmosphere. This is simulated by use of 15% oxygen concentration, somewhat lower than the air on ground level.
Taking a Train or Cruise
While the requirements of cruise and train operators are less stringent than airlines, you should still take steps to inform the operator of your oxygen needs and specifically ask if it is all right to carry along your portable oxygen equipment. By making sure that you are open and honest about your medical needs well in advance of your voyage, you will give the transport company maximum opportunity to help your travel plans go well. On long train journeys or cruises, you can speak to OxygenWorldwide to ensure that your replacement oxygen cylinders or tanks are waiting for you when needed, at strategic points of call. Liaising between the transport company and OxygenWorldwide sounds tricky – but it is something that OxygenWorldwide is well experienced with.
Oxygen Delivery at Your Destination
And, of course, OxygenWorldwide can also deliver oxygen to your end destination at intervals that best suit your needs. Their international network of medical oxygen suppliers understand the importance of meeting your needs, and can meet you at your hotel room, rental property, cruise port or even airline arrivals gate – wherever you need them to be, OxygenWorldwide will ensure that they are ready and waiting for you.
And should something go awry, OxygenWorldwide have an emergency phone line that is monitored around the clock, with operatives trained in helping smooth out any travel bumps that might unexpectedly crop up. If this all sounds almost too good to be true, why not put it to the test and call or message OxygenWorldwide now? You might be very pleasantly surprised that you too can travel with relative freedom, even while reliant on medical oxygen.
*Not their real names, composite characters from various case studies
5 Myths About Travelling with Medical Oxygen (And the Truth You Should Know)
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.
