Oxygen During Travel. People on continuous oxygen therapy who are traveling by plane should increase their oxygen by one to two liters per minute during the trip. Supplemental oxygen may be required during air travel for those with COLD who are on intermittent oxygen therapy. This happens if the trip is longer than 2 hours and they develop symptoms, or if they experience a drop in oxygen levels before travel. People are not allowed to bring their own tanks on board an airplane; many airlines (unfortunately, not all) will provide oxygen if notified between 48 and 72 hours in advance. A 1999 study reported that costs for in-flight oxygen ranged from $64 to $1,500. It should be noted, however, that aircraft cabins are actually pressurized to the equivalent of 8,000 feet above sea level. (Most people believe they are pressurized to sea level.) Such pressures could be potentially dangerous for people with severe COLD.
Oxygen Storage and Delivery Systems
Unless they are bed bound, patients usually use a combination of stationary and mobile oxygen systems.
Stationary Systems. The most common stationary oxygen system is the concentrator, an electrical device that extracts oxygen from the air. It weighs about 35 pounds and cannot be battery operated, so a patient can use it only at home.
Portable Units. Portable units containing electronic oxygen-conserving devices weigh only a few pounds and can provide up to 8 hours of oxygen. As examples, some portable units weigh 6.5 lb with liquid oxygen supplies lasting 4 hours. Some weigh 9.5 lb with oxygen supply lasting 8 hours, when used at a flow rate of two liters per minute.
Compressed or Liquid Oxygen. Oxygen can be administered in large stationary tanks or small portable ones, either as compressed gas or liquid oxygen. A container of liquid oxygen lasts four times longer than compressed gas of the same weight and is easier to fill. Liquid oxygen is very beneficial for patients who want to maintain an active life, although the tanks require occasional venting to release pressure, thereby wasting oxygen. They are also more expensive. For example, in some areas a stationary liquid oxygen system costs $3,500 compared to a compressed oxygen tank at $350.
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