Traveling with Portable Oxygen

Portable oxygen concentrators provide a great way to increase your mobility while maintaining your health and wellbeing. Designed to provide the maximum portability and convenience, these concentrators make all types of travel easy and convenient.

Car Travel

The rechargeable batteries and special DC car adaptor plug make it a snap to travel as far as you like in your car with no worries about running out of oxygen. 

Car Travel Tips

• Always check with your physician before your trip to determine if a change in climate or altitude may have an effect on your breathing. Your doctor may need to adjust your oxygen flow rate accordingly.

• Never store oxygen tanks in the trunk or locked in a hot car.

• Always keep the oxygen container upright and secure.

• Always open a window slightly to prevent oxygen accumulation.

• Never smoke while using oxygen.

Air Travel

As of May 13, 2009, the Department of Transportation (DOT) recognized portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) as personal assistive devices and has mandated that air carriers allow approved POCs on board. All portable oxygen concentrators sold at SpinLife have been approved for air travel. 

That means that you do not have to worry about which airline you choose - they all MUST accept all FAA approved POCs. The ruling applies to all flights that have a starting point or ending point in the United States.  Most airlines have a form that must be filled out prior to departure and may require a copy of your prescription.  Please keep this statement with you for the duration of your trip.  For more information, visit the Department of Transportation (DOT) website.

Air Travel Tips

• Ask for an aisle seat near the restroom.

• Drink fluids but avoid caffeine and carbonated drinks; they will make you feel bloated.

• Be familiar with the latest airport security screening policies and plan for extra time for inspection of your POC.

• Be sure to have enough additional batteries charged to cover the length of your flight and any possible delays on the runway.

Train Travel

Traveling by train is convenient with few restrictions or requirements. America’s national rail system, Amtrak, provides the following guidelines:

• You must notify Amtrak at least 12 hours in advance of boarding time of your need to bring oxygen on the train.

• Amtrak requires that oxygen equipment cannot rely solely on train-provided electrical power. Any device brought on a train must be able to operate a minimum of four hours without available onboard electrical power.

• If you would like to recharge your portable concentrator aboard the train, electrical outlets are available for Amtrak passengers traveling in a sleeping car.

For additional information on train travel with oxygen, you can contact Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL (872-7245) or visit their website at http://www.Amtrak.com.

Bus Travel

Bus lines such as Greyhound permit travelers to carry and use supplemental oxygen devices like a POC. General guidelines suggest that oxygen therapy patients provide 48-hour advance notification before day of travel. According to Greyhound, advance notice is in accordance with federal guidelines and allows them to make the necessary arrangements to provide requested assistance. To arrange assistance for travel within the Greyhound system, call their Customers with Disabilities Travel Assistance Line at 1-800-752-4841.