Do's and Don'ts of Traveling with Oxygen

By Kathi MacNaughton

2 min read

If your doctor has prescribed supplemental oxygen, there is no need to feel that you will never be able to leave your home again. There are many options when it comes to portable oxygen delivery these days. Traveling with oxygen, whether just around town to shop or visit the doctor or family, or to travel more long distance, can still be done, even if you must use oxygen on a continuous basis.

You might find it daunting or even scary to travel with oxygen, but by following your oxygen supplier's directions and these few safety precautions, it doesn't have to be!

What to do

First, be sure to review our article on The Do’s and Don’ts of Using Supplemental Oxygenat Home.There are many general safety tips in that article that will also apply when you are using portable oxygen. This post will only cover tips that apply specifically to traveling with oxygen.

Just as with home oxygen delivery systems, portable oxygen can be supplied in the form of gas cylinders (small, green, bullet-shaped tanks), liquid oxygen tanks or battery or electric-powered concentrators.

Do's

DO fill the portable tank carefully, if using liquid oxygen. Liquid oxygen is extremely cold and can injure your hands, if frost should develop.
DO carry your portable tank only in the case supplied with it.
DO use a cart or holster to carry portable oxygen cylinders.
DO keep your oxygen delivery system out of the bright sunlight or other heat sources.
DO secure your tank, cylinder or portable concentrator so it does not roll around in the car. Liquid tanks should never be laid on their sides; portable cylinders may be.
DO bring extra batteries to power your concentrator in case of emergency.
DO allow time to make arrangements for your oxygen needs when traveling long distance, especially if it will be by plane. Each airline has their own policies and procedures for traveling with oxygen. If traveling by car or train, you might need to arrange both portable and a more long-lasting oxygen supply. These arrangements can be discussed with your oxygen supplier.
DO be aware that high altitudes, whether flying or just driving in the mountains, can increase your need for supplemental oxygen. Discuss how to handle this with your doctor, for example, increasing flow rate slightly for a period of time.

What not to do

DON'T put a portable tank inside a backpack or other carry bag.
DON'T place your tank, cylinder or portable concentrator in a car trunk or other tightly enclosed space.
DON'T overlook the fact that portable oxygen tanks can only carry a finite amount of oxygen. Depending on your flow rate, that supply may not last more than a few hours. If that is not sufficient for your needs, you may want to consider using a portable concentrator.

The main thing to remember when traveling with oxygen around town or for a distance is to make a plan in advance. Don't get caught short or unprepared!

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The COPD.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

Join the conversation

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Reea Member
YES I HAVE HOME OXYGEN 
1. SamanthaSarube Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="Reea" user-id="2455292"/>, do you find having the oxygen at home to be helpful? All the best, Sam S. (<a href='http://COPD.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>, team member).
dotti Member
I also have home oxygen, I use it all the time.
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 <inline-mention username="dotti" user-id="2422471"/> Hi dotti, and thanks for joining in the conversation about oxygen. Do you find that using the supplemental oxygen therapy is helpful for you? Do you feel better using it? Wishing you well, Leon (site moderator <a href='http://COPD.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>)
dotti Member
Yes,
Jimmy Tuipulotu Member
Yes
Jimmy Tuipulotu Member
Been on O2 since 2016.
1. Jimmy Tuipulotu Member
 @Janet Plank hey there I’m good as they say another day above ground is a good day ☺️😉😎. Hope all is well in your end of the woods ofa atu and Jah bless 💯💚💛❤️.
melrscott Member
I use oxygen all night while I sleep. I would probably take my free standing floor model oxygen generator with me to use at night in the hotel. Now this is not a loud machine but it does make some noise. I have checked with the hotel and they say it would be OK to use but I am wondering if it would really bother people in adjacent rooms, who were not friends or relatives. I wonder if they would call the front desk to complain or not. Just one more thing I am worrying about when I think about taking a vacation while needing oxygen. Anyone have any experience with this? 
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 <inline-mention username="frostie1127" user-id="6723844"/> Hi frostie, and thanks for chiming in here. That is very helpful for us to know. We can all always benefit from shared experiences within the community. It is a large part of what our online community is all about. Wishing you well, Leon (site moderator <a href='http://COPD.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>)
2. Melissa.Arnold Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="melrscott" user-id="4254829"/> Look at it this way, it's not like you are purposely making loud noise or being rude. You have medical needs and it's important for you to do what you need to do to feel comfortable and safe. If people are sensitive to that, they can adjust or be moved somewhere else. It's okay! Or, as Leon suggested, maybe the booking agent can work with you to find a quieter location. But remember, hotel rooms are already noisy sometimes with the air conditioner or fan running! As long as you're not screaming or having a wild party, I have hope everything will be just fine. 😀 Don't let other people's reactions get in the way of you using the tools you need. Hugs to you! -Melissa, <a href='http://copd.net' target='_blank'>copd.net</a> team
bj howell Member
My portable concentrator needs maintenance . The supplier advised me they did not have loaners and it would be 4 weeks for repairs. I found this unacceptable and my pulmonologist did some advocating for me and I now will be getting a loaner.
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi <inline-mention username="fishy" user-id="4728664"/> and thank you for chiming in here. Your experience here is something that will benefit all of our members to hear about. Just look at how self-advocating (with your physician's assistance), was able to get this important aspect of maintenance resolved. Keep up the good work! Leon (site moderator <a href='http://COPD.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>)
Oma Audrey Member
Does anyone use a POC, not the large floor concentrator, while sleeping if it has flow settings. We recently had a power outage that lasted about 12 hours. I used 2 1/2 large tanks and started looking around to see who still had power. Could I use a fully charged POC, even taking it along on a longer trip instead of the bulk,y floor concentrator? 
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi <inline-mention username="Oma Audrey" user-id="4507561"/>, and thanks for joining in the conversation here. While I am hopeful others in the community will see your post and respond by sharing their own personal experiences, I also have something to contribute. It's understandable how you felt during the power outage and your concern for your own personal oxygen supply. Thankfully, you did have oxygen cylinders but, as is clear, they may not be sufficient depending on the length of time of the outage. As for the portable oxygen concentrator (POC) - if you decide to take it along with you, and you plan on being in a car, the concentrator may be able to be charged through the car's electric source. Do you think that would work for you? Perhaps the car can transport you to a location where there is electricity and then, the POC can be plugged in to a normal electrical outlet. What do you think? Leon L (author/moderator)
2. CommunityMember7d3f64 Member
 <inline-mention username="Oma Audrey" user-id="4507561"/> I DO NOT SEE WHY NOT USE THE PORTABLE ONE. Contact the manufacturer to see if ok. Turning over on side to side can be a problem. DO NOT use it sitting on a chair. They do not like it when they are bounced off the floor. They break easily. Most canulas are 7 feet. I would get no more than a 10 foot hose. Like I said, sit it on the floor. Adios, Thomas
Oma Audrey Member
What I'd really like to know if the POC can safely be used while sleeping if it has a flow setting and not just a pulse setting. I'm getting conflicting answers from the different POC sales associates and my oxygen provider
1. Melissa.Arnold Community Admin
 Hi <inline-mention username="Oma Audrey" user-id="4507561"/>, did, n you ever get this figured out? It sounds so frustrating and confusing! My instinct would be to contact the maker of your specific POC and see what they say about nighttime use. I also wonder if there is a firm answer within any literature for the product. Lastly, you may want to talk with your doctor and see what their take is. What kind of POC do you have? Just curious. I hope you can get to the bottom of this very valid concern! -Melissa, copd team
Oma Audrey Member
I didn't have a POC yet I'm trying to figure out what type make model, I should , and if that will help to make traveling easier for both my husband and I. now traveling is a nuisance because I have to take my large room concentrator about the size of a large suitcase Plus extra tanks to use while I'm away. I also have a walker and a mobility scooter for longer distances plus all the extra tanks I have to take, that takes up most of the room in our trunk and backseat of our car. Flying feels even more difficult because the airlines strap two medium tanks to the floor in front of me, then I have to arrange to pick up extra tanks wherever we are traveling to. I can do that in Canada and will be reimbursed with the costs of the tanks when I get back home, but I'm not sure what that's like out of the country. It was just such a nuisance with all the tanks and concentrated what not I had to take when we went on a short holiday in Washington this summer, we drove but there was a lot of stuff to take. It makes my husband and I of reluctant to even bother traveling. I was trying to find information to see if having a POC would make traveling easier. In the car it can just be plugged in, on the plane it could be sitting beside me and I wouldn't have to use the room concentrator if I can use a POC at night if I have extra batteries. I will get in touch with my respiration therapist and see what she has to say otherwise I will call my doctor. Thank you for your interest.
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi <inline-mention username="Oma Audrey" user-id="4507561"/>, and thanks for weighing in with your own perspective on using supplemental oxygen while traveling. It's understandable how you feel! Traveling with all the oxygen paraphernalia for any kind of trip can be daunting. You are in an online community which understands how you feel and also knows just what you are going through. From my own professional perspective, I think you will find traveling to be a whole lot simpler once you do have a portable oxygen concentrator (POC). So many in our community have shared just that type of perspective from their own personal experience. We actually have a wealth of information, published right here on <a href='http://COPD.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>, which focuses on POC's. I thought, if you wanted to read more about it, this would be a good place to start: https://copd.net/living/traveling-oxygen. If you have more questions/concerns, we will be more than happy to discuss them with you going forward. All the best, Leon L (author/moderator)
CommunityMemberf54b80 Member
Hi my name is Donna im new to the chat i have copd and i recently took the covid shot and flu shot in each arm i ended up in respiratory failure a week later and back in the hospital with the flu a month later im now on continuous oxygen at home and lost my job my breathing is so bad now im on steroids basically all the time but the part that hurts the most is that i started having panic and anxiety attacks when i have to go out with the portable concentrator im scared to not be able to breathe outside my house im seeing a doctor for treatment soon but any advice anyone can give i would welcome thank you 
1. SamanthaSarube Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMemberf54b80" user-id="8790849"/> Hi Donna, I'm sorry to hear how difficult things have been for you lately. Anxiety is definitely something many in our community deal with. I think speaking to your doctor is the best thing you can do but in the meantime, here are a few articles we have on coping with anxiety and COPD: <a href='https://copd.net/living/managing-anxiety' target='_blank'>https://copd.net/living/managing-anxiety</a>, <a href='https://copd.net/living/fighting-anxiety' target='_blank'>https://copd.net/living/fighting-anxiety</a>, <a href='https://copd.net/clinical/links-with-anxiety' target='_blank'>https://copd.net/clinical/links-with-anxiety</a>. All the best, Sam S. (COPD team).
Oma Audrey Member
Thanks for all the input on POCs. I have one now, an Imogen, through FraserHealth, which should make travel easier, but I still have some concerns. With advice through my RRT, and manufacturer, it is not recommended for night (sleep) use as it only has pulse, so I still need a room concentrator which is better than the ridiculous amount of tanks I brought with me for holiday in Washington, in Calgary I just needed a less, because I could get them from the local oxygen supplier for a deposit which was refunded back home. They exchanged all my tanks for the POC, if I want tanks, I now need to rent them and buy the regulator it's one or the other. But I'm still concerned about not having any tanks, I can think up all kinds of scenarios that I don't have power to recharged my POV, that's, y anxiety kicking in. My husband assures me I'll be fine. Anyway, thank you all for you input and support, it's great to have a supportive group.

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