My Dad's on Oxygen, Who does the whole Airplane Thing Work?

[Thumper1]

We're going on the Magic in December for seven days.

My senior citizen Dad is now on oxygen due to a major illness and was just told that he will probably be for life. We are trying to figure out how to get him to the Los Angeles airport on oxygen, through the airport and then on the plane. We were told that he can take an empty bottle on the plane and use the airplane's oxygen (for a major fee) but how does that help him after he gets off of the plane until we can get him a supply of oxygen. Then how does he get to the port (we're on the West Coast so we'll have to stay overnight) and then how does he get a supply on the ship. We're being told all the can't dos, but not the hows.

Has anyone else experienced this? Please tell us how the situation was handled.

Thank you in advance for your advice!

 

[teri]

I have no personal experience with this, but I recommend that you look at this link:
http://www.oxygen4travel.com/tips_air.html

My best guess is that you will need to have one of the medical supply companies meet you at the airport with the supplies. Care Medical and Walker Medical both rent oxygen equipment, and they probably know the procedure and can point you in the right direction. You can find their contact information by looking at the rental companies FAQ at this link:
http://pixiedustinn.com/disabilitiesfaq/RentalWheelchairsandECVs.html

I know that the Disney Cruise Line requires that guests provide their own oxygen. You should ask the Disney Cruise Vacations Medical Special Services Coordinator about what services are available on board.

 

[SueM in MN]

We have some posters who have done this, so hopefully one of them will be by to give info besides what teri posted.
You will need prescriptions from his doctor for the oxygen and equipment, so that, plus the medical equipment company he uses now, would be starting points for you. I don't know if all airlines require this, but I know that Northwest requires a doctor letter, indicating that you need oxygen on the flight and at what rate of flow. I think all the airlines probably do. They have probably dealt with it before. The companies that teri posted have certainly dealt with out of state visitors before, so you may find that they are very helpful.
Colonial Medical also list respiratory equipment and oxygen.