Traveling with Oxygen - It Doesn't Have to Be Impossible

Some bus lines allow people with portable oxygen to ride their buses. Check with the bus line you want to use to see what their regulations are. Most bus lines these days are nonsmoking, but if they're not, then avoid them for safety reasons.

If you want to travel by train, there are no set policies for traveling with oxygen. Be sure to talk with the railroad in advance of your trip to notify them of your need and to check their rules about the equipment you can bring aboard.

You must sit in the no smoking section. Amtrak's policy states that you will need to bring enough oxygen for the trip plus an extra 20%. Your equipment should also not depend solely on the train's provided electrical power.

Tips for Traveling by Sea with Oxygen

You might have thought your loved one would never be able to cruise again now that he or she is on oxygen. This may not be true, however. Some cruise lines may provide or allow supplemental oxygen. You'll need to check with the one you want to use to see what their policies are. You might be able to get refills at your ports of call if you plan in advance.

Also, there are some cruise lines, such as MedicalTravel.org and Cruise Holidays, which organize cruises especially for people with lung disease. You can also check with your local chapter of the American Lung Association; they sometimes plan cruises for people with COPD and other respiratory diseases too.

Tips for Traveling by Air with Oxygen

Air travel definitely presents the most challenges for traveling with oxygen. But new regulations based on the Americans with Disabilities Act were written into law in the past year that make it much easier for people on oxygen to travel by plane.

You'll need to check with the airline you want to travel on, though, to see what their specific rules and regulations are. The law says that airlines have to let you bring your own oxygen on board now, but you still have to work with them. Your oxygen supplier should be able to help you too.

My mom traveled a few months ago by plane, and things went great. Her oxygen supplier is a company called Norco and they provided a battery operated concentrator that could be plugged in and recharged during layovers or while waiting to board, if necessary. Most oxygen suppliers should be able to set something similar up for your loved one.

When They Get Where They're Going

If your loved one will be staying away from home overnight or longer, they'll need to either bring a concentrator with them or arrange for oxygen to be delivered to wherever they'll be staying. It takes a bit of work to arrange all this, but the benefits can be tremendous!

Being able to see loved ones again, to experience new things and just to get out of the house can go a long way towards making your loved one feel happier and less restricted. And, if they're going somewhere else to stay with family or friends, it can give you a much needed break too. So, keep an open mind about the possibilities of traveling with oxygen, won't you?