New to oxygen. NEED HELP!

[jekjones1558]

DH has just come home from hospitalization and will be on oxygen going forward. He uses a scooter. He mostly needs the oxygen when walking short distances or transferring. While sitting he needs very little. We are assuming he will also need it more in humidity.
Our next trip is scheduled for Oct. 13 - 21. We will be flying. Is there a thread with everything we need to know about traveling to WDW with oxygen? We have an oxygen concentrator at home and I know I have seen people using very small portable ones. Has anyone rented one of those while at WDW? Do you also rent one of the bigger ones for use in the room? Any and all advice greatly appreciated. I am very nervous about this and know absolutely nothing. TIA.

 

[lanejudy]

Post #30 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread is about traveling with oxygen to WDW.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/di...xt-trip-wish-trip.595713/page-2#post-45067447

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Farps]

We had to rent a battery powered portable oxygen concentrator for my father to fly. There are only certain ones that are FAA approved, also there are companies that specialize in renting these units. Not cheap though. The unit that we rented also plugged into the wall and could be used just like a normal sized unit, also charging battery while plugged in. I actually bought the exact same unit for my father when he was in nursing home and he never got to use it. Please feel free to message me with any questions that you may have, I should be able to dig up info on the companies that I used or on the equipment.

 

[jekjones1558]

We had to rent a battery powered portable oxygen concentrator for my father to fly. There are only certain ones that are FDA approved, also there are companies that specialize in renting these units. Not cheap though. The unit that we rented also plugged into the wall and could be used just like a normal sized unit, also charging battery while plugged in. I actually bought the exact same unit for my father when he was in nursing home and he never got to use it. Please feel free to message me with any questions that you may have, I should be able to dig up info on the companies that I used or on the equipment.

Info on the unit and company would be just great. Thank you!

 

[jekjones1558]

Thanks for this very helpful info! I am lucky that our trip is still 2 months away so I have time to get educated and do paperwork. I am rather overwhelmed right now with everything but having the supportive people on this forum will help so much!

 

[SMD]

You should check with your airline. I know that Southwest will not transport an oxygen tank in the cabin or as cargo. They also only allow certain POCs under certain conditions and you need to fill out a form and get a signed letter. Other airlines may also have restrictions.

 

[mamabunny]

If you are bringing your hubby's scooter to WDW, be sure to ask the airline about what will be required for your hubby to drive it down to the gate, and gate check it.

If you don't have one already, some of the scooter parts stores sell attachments to hold an oxygen bottle on a scooter. I would suggest using Google to search using the name and/or model number of your husband's scooter, as well as the words "oxygen bottle tank holder". Monsterscooterparts.com & electricscooterparts.com are two of the bigger ones.

If you are going to rent an ECV for WDW, then be sure to let your rental company know that you want an oxygen bottle/tank holder on the ECV in advance.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you are bringing your hubby's scooter to WDW, be sure to ask the airline about what will be required for your hubby to drive it down to the gate, and gate check it.

If you don't have one already, some of the scooter parts stores sell attachments to hold an oxygen bottle on a scooter. I would suggest using Google to search using the name and/or model number of your husband's scooter, as well as the words "oxygen bottle tank holder". Monsterscooterparts.com & electricscooterparts.com are two of the bigger ones.

If you are going to rent an ECV for WDW, then be sure to let your rental company know that you want an oxygen bottle/tank holder on the ECV in advance.

it really depends on what you are using.
The tank/bottle holders are for bottled oxygen canisters. Those are heavy and actually contain oxygen. When they run out, you are out of luck. We don't actually even use those for a mobile patients in the hospital; we either use concentrators or small, light liquid oxygen tanks that are similar in size to a portable oxygen concentrator and have a carrying strap fit.

Oxygen concentrators are lightweight, battery operated devices that concentrate oxygen out of the air. So, as long as you have battery power, you have the correct concentration of oxygen.
Because they are small and lightweight, most people carry them in a bag or backpack that can easily be slung over the backrest of the ECV.
This kind of explains the difference and shows a portable concentrator in use.
http://www.inogen.com/resources/oxygen-concentrators/oxygen-tanks-vs-oxygen-concentrators/

 

[SueM in MN]

The link lanejudy posted to the disABILITIES FAQs thread should be able to answer most of your questions.
Your current supplier will be able to help you with travel arrangements and to set up what you need for your trip and stay.

 

[mamabunny]

it really depends on what you are using.
The tank/bottle holders are for bottled oxygen canisters. Those are heavy and actually contain oxygen. When they run out, you are out of luck. We don't actually even use those for a mobile patients in the hospital; we either use concentrators or small, light liquid oxygen tanks that are similar in size to a portable oxygen concentrator and have a carrying strap fit.

Oxygen concentrators are lightweight, battery operated devices that concentrate oxygen out of the air. So, as long as you have battery power, you have the correct concentration of oxygen.
Because they are small and lightweight, most people carry them in a bag or backpack that can easily be slung over the backrest of the ECV.
This kind of explains the difference and shows a portable concentrator in use.
http://www.inogen.com/resources/oxygen-concentrators/oxygen-tanks-vs-oxygen-concentrators/

@SueM in MN - Thank you - I learned something new today! I didn't realize that concentrators had become so very compact and mobile!

 

[SueM in MN]

@SueM in MN - Thank you - I learned something new today! I didn't realize that concentrators had become so very compact and mobile!

yes.
Much nicer than the old, heavy tanks that fell over and hit people's toes!

The hospital I work at uses liquid oxygen with tanks like in this picture - the big ones are about counter height and are kind of like giant thermos devices to keep the oxygen chilled, which keeps it in liquid state.
Those big tanks are used to fill the smaller portable tanks. The portable ones are lightweight, even when full and are light and small enough that a patient can walk with them.

Outside, we have several huge liquid oxygen tanks (like 15 feet tall) that are used to fill the big inside tanks.

 

[mamabunny]

yes.
Much nicer than the old, heavy tanks that fell over and hit people's toes!

The hospital I work at uses liquid oxygen with tanks like in this picture - the big ones are about counter height and are kind of like giant thermos devices to keep the oxygen chilled, which keeps it in liquid state.
Those big tanks are used to fill the smaller portable tanks. The portable ones are lightweight, even when full and are light and small enough that a patient can walk with them.

Outside, we have several huge liquid oxygen tanks (like 15 feet tall) that are used to fill the big inside tanks.

It's funny - when I think of Liquid Oxygen, I think about outer space, and my dad's job when I was kid; He was part of the team that created the LOx systems for Gemini & Apollo spacecraft! I think, like a lot of folks, I always assume that hospitals use some form of pressurized oxygen, but LOx just never crossed my mind - because I think of it as being "space age technology"! LOL

 

[Hopefully]

I use an Oxygen concentrator at home at night. I rented one for our trip in October from Care Medical. It is $195 per occurrence (1 day or 1 week the same price) They deliver to WDW resorts and will have it at the resort by 3 PM on check in day. I rented last year as well and I was satisfied with their service. You need a prescription for the O2 to rent a concentrator.
I use a LifeChoice Activox Pro Portable Oxygen Concentrator to fly and as needed during the day. It is relatively light, about 6 - 8 pounds and comes in a bag that can be configured to either sling over your shoulder or use as a backpack.
If you need oxygen on the plane I believe you will need a portable oxygen concentrator (POC). Airlines do not allow oxygen tanks either in the cabin or as checked baggage.
They too can be rented, but I agree it gets expensive. I am renting my (POC) permanently from my home care provider, as I need it at times at home. So that is not an added expense to traveling.
You will also need a Doctors note to fly with oxygen. That is a FAA requirement. There are specific POC's that are approved for flying. Each airline has somewhat different and somewhat specific requirements as to the documentation they require. You can find that info on their websites.
If I can help answer any other questions feel free to PM me.

 

[pampam]

When DD first went on O2 is was very alarming and quite overwhelming, so I understand some of what you are feeling.

Your O2 provider is the first place to start. They can set you up with a POC (portable oxygen concentrator) which you will need for your flight. Depending on your DH's needs that may be all you need. The POC may be large enough to supply him with O2 for night time, and if he only needs O2 when he is walking, the POC with charged batteries might keep him going through the day. If not, you may need to have a larger concentrator delivered for night time use, and cylinders to use during the day. If you are currently using an O2 provider that has service in the Orlando, Kissimmee area, your O2 provider can get in touch with them and let them know what your needs are. If your O2 provider does not have an office in the area, you will have to do this on your own. We use Lincare, and I understand there are other good companies that provide excellent service . The first time is very stresful, but each trip becomes easier and less hastle.