Oxygen?

[mjc05]

My brother was disabled last year after a bout of double pneumonia. He contracted MRSA and almost died. I promised him that if he fought and made it home that we would go to Disney World. So far this year he hasn't been hospitalized (his last one was during Christmas) and he is working to be healthy enough for the trip. My question is: Does anyone have experience with using O2 in the parks? Also, did you rent the O2 equipment? I've just started looking and am not finding a lot of information about Oxygen tank rentals in Orlando. He currently has a machine that constantly supplies oxygen for him and I'm trying to figure out the best way to go about getting him O2 while we are in Florida. Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Floydian]

I don't have much information on this, but I'll share what little I have. My Mom has COPD and as a result has to use oxygen pretty much 24/7.

The first thing I remember was that she had some issues with flying when she used an actual oxygen tank. I know that now she has some kind of machine that processes the air without any tank, and had no problems taking that on airplanes.

That said, she brought her own stuff when they visited last time, so I've no idea about renting anything but her ECV. She and her doctors actually wanted her to walk some, so she did rent an ECV and use it every day, but only drove it herself about half the time. The nice thing was it allowed her to put the oxygen thing in the basket of the ECV, which really helped with her stamina.

Hope this helps a little, and have a great trip!

 

[SueM in MN]

Only time for a quick response to point you toward the disABILITIES FAQs thread. It is near the top of this board or you can use the link in my signature to get there.
Post 3 of that thread is links and information about specific conditions and concerns. If you scroll around a bit toward the end of that post, you will find some links for oxygen use.
Post 2 has information about renting wheelchairs and ECVs, including contact information for off site rental companies.

There is a post about air travel which includes general information and also some specific information about air travel ( I think it is post 15).

He should work with his current equipment and oxygen supplier to help him to make all the arrangements and get everything set up. They can help to get doctor's orders for the things he needs ahead of time and also get the paperwork needed for the airline and for insurance payment.

Also check the website for the airline you plan to travel on. Their page about travel with special needs may not be easy to find, but they should have a search button you can use. If you don't find it searching for the word oxygen, try wheelchair or disabilities.

Questions about oxygen are actually fairly common here, so you should get some answers from people with first hand experience soon.

 

[Sharptooth]

You might want to try Orlando Medical Rentals . I just reserved a home oxygen concentrator for my trip to Disney in April. They will deliver it to my resort and again when i am finished. You will also have to have a portable oxygen concentrator to fly on any airline. Their is a bit of work to be done when flying with oxygen but not impossible. You will also need a letter from your doctor . A template for this letter can be found on Southwest web site under people with disiblities. You will also need a prescription for oxygen if you rent or buy any kind of oxygen equiptment.

 

[cm8]

My brother was disabled last year after a bout of double pneumonia. He contracted MRSA and almost died. I promised him that if he fought and made it home that we would go to Disney World. So far this year he hasn't been hospitalized (his last one was during Christmas) and he is working to be healthy enough for the trip. My question is: Does anyone have experience with using O2 in the parks? Also, did you rent the O2 equipment? I've just started looking and am not finding a lot of information about Oxygen tank rentals in Orlando. He currently has a machine that constantly supplies oxygen for him and I'm trying to figure out the best way to go about getting him O2 while we are in Florida. Thanks in advance for any help!

I have had both great and poor experiences when traveling to DISNEY with O2. Are you all flying or driving? There are protocols one must following if flying. The treating physician of your Brother needs to fill out a form from the airline authorizing him to travel by air and with O2. Please contact the airline for further info. The airlines only allow certain POC (portable oxygen concentrators) that have the airplane symbol on the flights.

If he has chain supplier ( apria, lincare) then he can arrange for delivery of O2 to the hotel free of charge.He should also make sure that he gets an oxygen supply kit (tubes, cannulas) as well for use at the hotel that way he can trash it when he leaves. I usually have Apria deliver me 20 m6's 4 e tanks and a stationary concentrator for use at night. The m6's I take with me to the park ( about 4 in a rolling back pack) and leave with first aid so that when I need to change them out, I can just go and get a room and cool down and change my O2. It is very relaxing and provides me with a much needed break from the heat and humidity.

Do you know how many liters of O2 your Brother is on. That is going to determine how many bottles of O2 he is going to need in addition to how hot and humid it will be will you are in WDW.
I know that when it gets hotter out and very humid, I have to bump up my O2 to meet my demands. It also means that I need to replace my tanks faster, so he needs to determine how many O2 bottles he is likely to require during that time. My O2 seems to evaporate faster when there is a lot of humidity in the air. Also, is your Brother on gas or liquidI forgot to ask, I just assumed it was gas since you said tank but there are liquid tanks as well. If he is using liquid O2 tanks, then he will need to make sure that he refills his tank before leaving for the parks and to keep checking the levels as liquid O2 evaporates way faster then the gas

I am not sure if your Brother intends to ride anything, but I have been able to take my m6's on every ride except RNC . I was able to use my portable O2 bag (shoulder strap) and hang onto it when riding anything. On some rides, I place it between my legs and clanged on to it for dear life while riding on, EE, BTMR, and Splash and space mountain.

If you need anything else PM me and I can get you pointed in the right direction I hope that you both have a great time and that I think you are so sweet for taking your Brother to WDW

I am glad that your DB is doing better too!

 

[mitch111]

My wife now uses oxygen only at night.
When she was on oxygen full time, she had a home refill system and 3 tanks would last a day in Disney.

When she flies, she needs oxygen, and she rents a portable oxygen concentrator with extra batteries. This is good for the plane, durning the day in Disney and at night with her CPAP machine.
I think the each battery last 2 to 4 hours.

We never had a problem at Disney with the oxygen tanks.
We brought a large softsided cooler on wheels and kept the tanks in it.

have a great time