GoAssured Blog
The Portable Oxygen Specialists
Understanding the battery level on your Portable Oxygen Concentrator is essential for your health and well being. You do not want to misread the power remaining on the portable concentrator least you will leave yourself out of batteries, out of oxygen, and out of breath!
With so many Portable Oxygen Concentrators on the market today, we will take a close look at the LifeChoice Portable Concentrator by Inova Labs. The LifeChoice is in the class of Portable Concentrators we call Compact. The compact class of POC’s are characterized by a small on-board battery, usually capable of about 2 hours of operation. These compact POC’s all use some type of supplemental battery, that is either attached directly to the unit, or can be worn around your waist. The AirSep LifeStyle, Invacare XPO2, and Inova Labs LifeChoice are all examples of compact POCs.
As the most important thing in this class of Portable Oxygen Concentrators is the size and weight under 10 lbs, or just to be one of the smallest and lightest, some sacrifices had to be made as far as output capacity and visual bells and whistles. For our discussion, the most important items left out of these Concentrators for their considerations of the size and weight was a detailed display of battery life indication.
On the Full Size Portable Oxygen Concentrators SeQual Eclipse 3 for example, there is a LCD display that clearly indicates battery level. You can simply look at the battery indicator and determine if you have 90% battery life or 20% battery life. The same hold true for the Medium Size Portable Oxygen Concentrator from Respironics, the Evergo. In this case two LCD displays for each on-board battery allows the user to accurately gauge their remaining battery life.
There is nothing wrong with the way the compact Portable Oxygen Concentrators display battery life, you need only know how to accurately read and understand what LED indicators mean.
There are 4 green LEDs used to indicate battery level on your LifeChoice Portable Oxygen Concentrator, one for 25%, one for 50%, one for 75% and one for 100%. Simple enough, but this is where some confusion may arise.
When the indicators light up all the way to 100%, the unit DOES NOT indicate you have 100% on your battery remaining. What it is telling you is that you have between 76% and 100% on the unit. So you could have all 4 LEDs illuminated, but only have 76% of your battery capacity available to you.
Here is a chart identifying the Life Choice Portable Oxygen Concentrator’s Battery LEDs and the relationship to battery capacity.
- 25% Indicator 1 = 0% -25% Battery Capacity
- 50% Indicator 2 = 26% – 50% Battery Capacity
- 75% Indicator 3 = 51% – 75% Battery Capacity
- 100% Indicator 4 = 76% -100% Battery Capacity
Understanding the real battery capacity you have on your POC is vital, I hope you found this FAQ useful.
If you own any SeQual Eclipse Portable Oxygen Concentrator some basic battery maintenance will help you get the most out of your POC.
Like most Portable Concentrators, the Eclipse uses Lithium Ion batteries, in the case of the SeQual Eclipse, two batteries are contained inside a Eclipse Power Cartridge.
Generation one Power Cartridges with the blue tab, or generation 2 Power Cartridges with the black tab both require a little user maintenance to ensure optimum battery performance.
Both batteries need to be synchronized in order to work the best, and over time, one battery may drain faster than the other, and cause a performance issue. So instead of getting 4 hours out of your power cartridge, you may only get 3.5 hours or less.
The procedure is very simple and should be performed about every 3 months.
DO NOT PERFORM THE CALIBRATION WHEN YOU ARE USING THE ECLIPSE, FIND ALTERNATIVE OXYGEN!!
Step 1
Unplug the Eclipse and insert the Power Cartridge you are planning to calibrate. Run the SeQual Eclipse at a continuous setting of 0.5 LPM to fully discharge you are calibrating until the unit alarms.
For a faster discharge you could run the SeQual Eclipse at a higher setting, say 1.5 LPM continuous, unit the low battery alarm sounds, then switch to 0.5 LPM continuous.
Step 2
Silence the continuous alarm by plugging in the AC power supply.
Step 3
Power Down the SeQual Eclipse while the unit is plugged in. This will allow your battery to fully charge more quickly. Once your power cartridge is completely charged, you can remove your battery, it is ready for use.
If your battery has not been calibrated in several months, or your battery was never calibrated, you may have to repeat the cycle a few times to get peak performance.
If you’re battery has been sitting dormant for many months, and you just use your Eclipse to travel just a few times a year, and it otherwise sites unused, it is best to perform this procedure prior to any traveling you may be doing while on portable oxygen.
Typical battery life for any POC lithium battery is 300-500 charge cycles.
Lithium Batteries perform best when stored at 50% charge.
Renting a Portable Oxygen Concentrator
30 Dec 2011The majority of people on Oxygen Therapy in the United States are not lucky enough to have portable oxygen concentrators as an equipment choice from their oxygen service provider. Most oxygen companies who deal with Medicare, Medicaid, and Private Insurance companies do not have any portable oxygen inventory at all to offer their patients, and can you blame them? With your average portable oxygen concentrator costing the dealer seven (7) times as much as a stationary oxygen machine, reimbursement for oxygen cut by over 70% since 1997, and compliance and regulatory costs quadrupled at minimum, one need not wonder why you cannot find a portable concentrator from your provider.
So, what is an person on oxygen therapy to do when their provider cannot provide them what they need for every day use, not to mention when traveling on a plane, ship or by automobile with on oxygen.
Why, you rent one of course!! 10 years ago when we began renting portable oxygen concentrators for trips and short term need, no other company provided our service. Now there are several companies to choose from when renting a portable oxygen concentrator, here are a few things to consider when you choose your company.
- Are you looking to rent a POC for a single use, or do you envision renting a Portable Concentrator on a more frequent basis? Check to see if the portable oxygen company you will be renting from will give you discounts for frequent rentals. Companies like GoAssured offer free rental batteries and accessories to their repeat customers.
- Are you really looking to try out a portable concentrator to decide whether you would like to purchase the unit? If you are considering purchasing the POC you are renting, tell the rental company, you may be able to apply part of your rental fees towards purchase of a portable concentrator. You can even arrange to have a new unit shipped instead of a unit previously rented.
- When shopping price, which is always a consideration, who pays for the shipping? Don’t fall for cheap advertised prices!! Most companies out there charge you for shipping and handling at least one direction. So when you are looking at the total price versus the low price advertised on their site you will be paying more for your rental in the end.
- If this is your first time renting a portable oxygen concentrator, does the company you are dealing with have the knowledge to guide you to the correct POC for your Oxygen Therapy needs? The customer service at most oxygen rental sites could not tell you the difference between a metered dose or a hybrid dose of oxygen. They certainly will not be able to correctly guide you to the best portable concentrator suited to your individual needs. That is one of the reasons we developed GoAssured’s Guide to Picking Portable Oxygen Concentrators, to make suggesting a POC easier and based of a patient’s own oxygen therapy experience.
- Are you traveling by air? Make sure the oxygen concentrator you are renting is FAA Approved and has any appropriate stickers if required.
And one final thought, how many times have these oxygen concentrators been rented? A careful look on a few websites and you will notice the rental fleets consist of oxygen concentrators that have updated. SeQual Ecipse 2 rentals instead of SeQual Eclipse 3, older versions of Respironics Evergo, Invacare Solo2, Invacare XPO2, and first generation LifeChoice concentrators. We short term rent our concentrator no more than 15 times because we want you to have a problem free portable oxygen rental experience.
When it comes to taking care of our Long Term Oxygen Patients (LTOT) patients GoAssured is proud to carry the SeQual Eclipse 3 Personal Ambulatory Oxygen System (PAOS). Since we first began providing portable oxygen concentrators for our LTOT patients, the SeQual Eclipse, Eclipse 2, and now SeQual Eclipse 3 have been the most requested, most durable, and most versatile of any of the portable oxygen concentrators on the market. GoAssured’s focus is to provide our portable oxygen patients with ultimate portability, which as studies have shown, leads to longevity of oxygen dependent people.
- Small, lightweight and easy to use
- Provides continuous flow and pulse dose options
- Low-maintenance and low power-consuming system
- AC/DC and rechargeable power cartridge extends therapy time and patient travel
- No more waiting for cylinder deliveries and replaces bulky equipment
- FAA approved for commercial airline travel
- Accessory options that support an active lifestyle
- Continuous flow up to 3LPM and a pulse dose option
- - Continuous flow is the gold standard for nocturnal use
- autoSAT™ Technology adjusts to your breath rate to ensure consistent bolus volume
- AC/DC and power cartridge allows for travel around town or even around the world
- Reduced power consumption means lower electrical costs
- FAA Approved
- Operates up to 13,123 feet in altitude for air or land excursions
- Is compatible with many leading CPAP and bi-level devices in Continuous Flow Mode
- New, easy-to-use, black button features intuitive downward release
- Provides up to 5.0 hours of power
- Charges using AC/DC power
- Easily charge additional SeQual Eclipse Batteries
- Charges the Eclipse Battery in less than 3 hours
- Use anywhere in the world, by combining with the Universal Power Plug Set (sold separately)
- File HCPCS code E1357
- Intended for use at home, or wherever standard AC power is available
- SeQual branded to help distinguish from
- E1 and E2 power supplies
- Green LED illuminates when AC Power
- Supply is supplying 28VDC power
- Intended for use with DC accessory outlets, such as those found in motor vehicles
- Green LED illuminates when DC Power Supply is supplying 26VDC power
- File HCPCS code E1358
- Features six-inch wheels for higher ground clearance
- Ideal for all seasons, all terrains
- Easy access to Battery
- Handle slides up and down with different settings for personalized adjustment
- File HCPCS code E1354
- Neatly stores Eclipse accessories
- Rubber handles offer a sturdy grip
- Easily slips over the handle of all Eclipse carts.
- Attaches humidifier bottle to Eclipse unit
- humidifier bottle not included
- Features telescoping handle
- Fits under most airline seats
- File HCPCS code E1354
- Reduces external wear and tear
- Protects against spillage and inclement weather
- Secures with convenient zipper closure
- Clear plastic window allows access to control panel
- Features adjustable Velcro inner partitions
- Neatly stores Eclipse accessories
- Rubber handle offers a sturdy grip
- Easily slips over the handle of all Eclipse Carts
- SeQual’s featured bundle accessory
- Includes Eclipse Travel Case, Power Cartridge, & Desktop Charger
- Ideal for international travel with the Eclipse
- Europe, UK, New Zealand, North/South America, Japan & Taiwan
- Rated at 10A to support the current demand of the Eclipse
- Attaches to any push-handle wheelchair using adjustable, buckle-style clips
- Eclipse fits easily into the main compartment
- Velcro flap provides easy access to the Eclipse Battery
The Respiratory System
6 Dec 2010The respiratory system works hand in hand with the cardiovascular system to ensure that our cells receive the necessary oxygen to carry out aerobic respiration and keep our bodies alive and functioning. The respiratory system and the cardiovascular system depend on each other to fulfill their duties and neither one can function without the other system. Should one of these systems cease to be functional then the other system will follow soon after because our body will no longer be able to sustain life. The respiratory system is made up of two functional portions, the conducting portion and the respiratory portion. The conduction portion transports air, breaching the gap between the oxygen in the atmosphere and the oxygen in our bodies. This includes the nose, nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles. The respiratory portion is responsible for carrying out gas exchange and this is where the respiratory system begins to integrate with the cardiovascular system. The respiratory portion includes respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveoli.The respiratory system can also be divided into two separate structural classifications, the upper respiratory tract and the lower respiratory tract. The upper respiratory tract begins with the nose where oxygen enters and continues on through the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, and the pharynx; all of which are part of the conducting portion of the respiratory system. The lower respiratory tract begins with structures associated with the conduction portion of the system, the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles. This is where the respiratory portion begins with the respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveoli. Gas exchange, when O2 crosses from the respiratory system and into the cardiovascular system, takes place in the alveoli.To get oxygen from the atmosphere around us to our cells involves three sequential steps: Ventilation (the movement of air into and out of the lungs), gas exchange (occurs between the oxygen and your blood in the lungs and then between your oxygenated blood and your body cells in the your tissue), and the final step is cellular respiration, when the cells use the oxygen delivered to them to keep your body running as it should. During normal inspiration contraction of the parasternal, external intercostal, and diaphragm (via phrenic nerve inervation) muscles increase the volume of the thoracic cavity. Boyle’s Law states that the pressure of a given quantity of a gas is inversely proportional to its volume, like so many types of concentrations in the body, oxygen flows from an area of greater pressure to lower pressure. Inhalation of air is an active process utilizing muscles of inspiration to bring about a pressure difference, by increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity containing the lungs a pressure difference is created thereby inducing oxygen to flow from an area of greater concentration (the air around us) and into our lungs (through all the upper and lower respiratory structures). With each inhalation the surrounding air moves through the upper respiratory tract to the lower respiratory tract and into the alveoli where gas exchange takes place. The alveoli are surrounded by capillaries filled with venous blood from the heart by way of the pulmonary artery, low in oxygen concentration and high in carbon dioxide concentration. Once again utilizing the advantages of a pressure gradient the body carries out the transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide by flowing from the areas of high concentration to the areas of low concentration. The freshly inhaled air in the alveoli is high in oxygen and low in carbon dioxide so the oxygen easily crosses the thin epithelium of the alveoli and into the capillaries while the carbon dioxide easily flows from the capillaries and into the alveoli. The now oxygen rich blood in the capillaries surrounding the alveoli will re-enter the cardiovascular system entering the left atrium of the heart by way of the pulmonary veins. This oxygen rich blood will now be pumped from the right atrium to the left atrium of the heart and then distributed throughout the body where cellular respiration occurs in all the cells that our body is made from.The carbon dioxide that was transferred to the alveoli will be exhaled passively as the inspiratory muscles relax. The relaxation of the inspiratory muscles causes the thoracic cavity volume to decrease resulting in an increase in pressure. This pressure increase drives the “used up air”, full of carbon dioxide, out of the lungs because a pressure gradient has once again been created only this time the pressure was greater inside the thoracic cavity then the surrounding atmospheric pressure. This air will now move back up the lower respiratory tract to the upper respiratory tract and out into the surrounding atmospheric air.The functionality of the respiratory system is crucial to maintaining homeostasis and therefore the life of our bodies There are so many variables involved in maintaining this and even a slight fluctuation in one of these numerous variables can set the entire respiratory system awry causing shortness of breath and a hypoxic state in our bodies. The sensation of shortness of breath is due to the metabolic demands of our bodies not being met; there is not enough oxygen in circulation for sufficient cellular respiration. The reason for the shortage of oxygen at the cellular level can be the result inadequate gas exchange between the alveoli and the capillaries due to poor perfusion (an inadequate amount of blood traveling through the pulmonary capillaries possibly relating to a cardiovascular issue) or do to a disturbance in ventilation. A disturbance in ventilation would be due to an inadequate amount of oxygen crossing the alveolar membrane to the capillaries and can be a result of inadequate oxygen reaching the alveoli from the air we breathe. Considering the number of structures involved in getting atmospheric air down to the alveoli the malfunction can occur in numerous possible locations. Conditions such as asthma, pneumonia, and congestive heart failure stimulate receptors in the lungs causing shortness of breath. Airway obstructions, chest muscle weakness, neuromuscular diseases, and lung collapse all cause mechanical disruption of the airway, lung, or chest wall. The respiratory system is a very complex and vital element of our anatomical make-up and proper balance and functionality of our respiratory system is crucial to our health.
- (3) Comments
- Tags: Alpha-1, COPD, Emphysema, Lung Caner, Oxygen Therapy
“CLEVELAND, Dec. 2, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Chart Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq:GTLS – News) announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, CAIRE Inc., which operates under its BioMedical segment, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire SeQual Technologies Inc. (“SeQual”) for approximately $40 million, plus the possibility of up to $20 million of additional future payments contingent on SeQual’s financial performance over a two-year period post-closing. Other financial terms of the all-cash transaction were not disclosed.
SeQual, a privately held company headquartered in San Diego, California, develops, manufactures and markets products for medical, military, industrial and commercial applications utilizing its proprietary pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technology for air separation. SeQual focuses on medical oxygen concentrators — devices that separate oxygen from air to provide supplemental breathing oxygen to individuals with chronic lung disease. SeQual’s line of medical oxygen concentrators ranges from its award-winning, 3 LPM (liters-per-minute) continuous flow portable Eclipse 3TM oxygen system to its IntegraTENTM high-capacity (10 LPM) bedside unit. SeQual’s annual sales are approximately $36 million.
“The acquisition of SeQual is an excellent strategic fit for us. It expands our respiratory product offering with a leading portable, non-delivery oxygen concentrator,” said Sam Thomas, Chairman, CEO and President of Chart Industries.
“This transaction combines SeQual’s technology and patient-focused product development capabilities with our global marketing, distribution and operating expertise,” stated Steve Shaw, President of Chart BioMedical. “We expect to integrate the majority of SeQual’s operations during 2011.”
Ron Richard, SeQual’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are very excited about the merger with Chart as it allows us to take advantage of CAIRE’s leading respiratory global presence and manufacturing capabilities and to expand our portable oxygen concentrator sales in new and existing markets.”
Completion of the transaction, subject to customary closing conditions, is expected by the end of January 2011. This acquisition is expected to be accretive to Chart’s 2011 earnings, excluding restructuring costs, and if future contingent payments are earned, the accretion to Chart’s earnings would be expected to increase.
CAIRE is a leading respiratory care products provider for the home health care market, manufacturing a full line of liquid oxygen reservoirs and liquid oxygen portables sold under the LiberatorTM, CompanionTM, SpiritTM and HELiOSTM brands.
Certain statements made in this news release are or imply forward-looking statements, such as statements concerning Chart’s plans, objectives, future revenues, business trends, costs, performance, and other information that is not historical in nature. These statements are made based on management’s expectations concerning future events and are subject to factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These factors and uncertainties include Chart’s ability to successfully acquire and integrate SeQual’s business, the satisfaction of customary conditions to closing the transaction, cyclicality of product markets, a delay or reduction in customer purchases, competition, the negative impacts of the recent global economic crisis, the future financial performance of SeQual, changes in government health care regulations and reimbursement policies, and economic, political, business and market risks associated with global operations. For a discussion of these and additional factors that could cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements, see Chart’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including Item 1A – Risk Factors, of Chart’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Chart is a leading global manufacturer of highly engineered equipment used in the production, storage and end-use of hydrocarbon and industrial gases. The majority of Chart’s products are used throughout the liquid gas supply chain for purification, liquefaction, distribution, storage and end-use applications, the largest portion of which are energy-related. Chart has domestic operations located across the United States and an international presence in Asia, Australia and Europe. For more information on Chart visit: http://www.chart-ind.com. To sign up for Chart’s e-mail list: http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=1444&to=ea&Nav=0&S=0&L=1.”
Are there really Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals to be had for portable oxygen concentrators? And, more importantly, do you want them?
Black Friday is traditionally (a pretty new tradition really) one of the largest volume and sales days for online retailers, and Cyber Monday, another huge day of business for online retailers, but are those people shopping for cheap LCD televisions and Nintendo games really looking to buy cheap medical equipment too? Well,…yes. Things to keep in mind with medical equipment, especially expensive portable oxygen equipment like portable oxygen concentrators from the SeQual Eclipse 2, the SeQual Eclipse 3, the Evergo from Respironics, the iGo from Devilbiss or both portable oxygen concentrators from Invacare, the XPO2 and the Solo2 is
- Portable oxygen concentrators (POC’s) are expensive to start with
- Manufactures set priciing for the equipment
- Most importantly, the company you buy your portable oxygen concentrator from does matter, and a couple hundred dollar saving could cost you thousands in the long run if you choose the wrong retailer to buy from.
SeQual Eclipse, Respironics Evergo, Devilbiss iGo, XPO2 and Solo2 from Invacare, are one of the most expensive items purchased by respiratory companies. Stationary oxygen concentrators and portable oxygen concentrators alike require periodic maintenance at best, and at worst, need to be seen every few months to ensure the oxygen purity is up to specifications. A SeQual Eclipse has an internal PM that should be performed approximately once a year, and the lithium batteries for the Respironics Evergo, Invacare Solo2 and XPO2 all have specific maintenance and storage procedures that should be followed to ensure optimum battery life. Portable Oxygen Battery packs can run as much as $900, so it is in the owners best interest to keep the batteries at their optimum level. GoAssured is an online retailer that offers monthly reminders about batteries, storage and charging, for each specific battery. Including this service as a standard part of the GoAssured 5 Star Service Plan is just one way picking the right company to purchase your portable oxygen concentrator from can actaully save you money in the long run.
When searching for your deal on a SeQual Eclipse or Respironics Evergo portable oxygen concentrator (POC) remember to look at the overall cost of ownership. Portable oxygen concentrator ownership is a commitment, you want to buy a SeQual Eclipse or buy a Respironics Evergo, but make sure you are getting the best value for you dollar, not just a short term deal. If you want a short term deal, it may be better to just rent a portable concentrator. And if you plan to use portable oxygen only while you travel by motor home or RV, perhaps a Respironics Everflo and Respironics Ultrafill would meet your needs.
Cyber Monday may still bring deals like a free stationary concentrator with purchase of a portable SeQual Eclipse or Respironics Evergo, but if you are getting that Respironics Everflo from a company that does not have a plan to keep your concentrator running, and supply you with a free loaner if your portable concentrator needs repair, you should look to a company that does have a 5 Star Service Plan. You may even be able to call toll free 855-4-OXYGEN for your best price on portable oxygen and ask to switch the free oxygen concentrator for an extra battery for your new SeQual Eclipse or Respironics Evergo.
Getting the best deal on a portable oxygen concentrator should not mean you have to give up service and support. If you are buying a cheap portable oxygen concentrator from a bargain basement Internet retailer, what are the odds they will be around to service the equipment when you need it serviced, or that the will keep you on a schedule to maximize performance of your SeQual Eclipse, EverGo, iGo, XPO2, or Solo2?
Happy Holidays, Happy Shopping, Be Smart, Go shopping with confidence, GoAssured.
TSA Regulations for Medical Oxygen Updated
In: Airline Travel on Portable Oxygen|Portable Oxygen News|Traveling with Oxygen
24 Nov 2010Supplemental personal medical oxygen and other respiratory-related equipment and devices (e.g. nebulizer, respirator) are permitted through the screening checkpoint once they have undergone screening.
Any respiratory equipment that cannot be cleared during the inspection process will not be permitted beyond the screening checkpoint.
Persons connected to oxygen:
- Inform the Security Officer if your oxygen supply or other respiratory-related equipment cannot be safely disconnected.
- Only you can disconnect yourself to allow for your oxygen canister/system to be X-rayed.
- Check with your Doctor prior to coming to the checkpoint to ensure disconnection can be done safely.
- If your Doctor has indicated that you cannot be disconnected or if you are concerned, ask the Security Officer for an alternate inspection process while you remain connected to your oxygen source.
- Infants will remain connected to their apnea monitors throughout the screening process. Apnea monitors will be screened while remaining connected to the infant.
- Oxygen equipment will either undergo X-ray screening (only disconnected oxygen equipment) or physical inspection, and explosive trace detection inspection.
Oxygen suppliers or persons carrying oxygen supply:
- An oxygen supplier or personal assistant may accompany you to the gate or meet you at the gate once they have obtained a valid gate pass from the appropriate aircraft operator.
- Persons carrying his/her supply must have a valid boarding pass or valid gate pass to proceed through the security checkpoint.
- Oxygen being carried by the supplier or person will either undergo X-ray screening and explosive trace detection sampling.
Oxygen and Arrangements
Passengers are responsible for making the arrangements with:
- The airline(s) for supplemental Oxygen onboard the aircraft.
- Local providers for oxygen use during any layover stop(s) and at the final destination.
- The airline, friends, relatives or a local supplier for removal of the canister from the originating airport’s gate area immediately after you leave the gate area to board the aircraft.
You must make similar arrangements for your return trip. Please, check the procedures outlined below for details. More information on airline accommodations for oxygen users can be found at the National Home Oxygen Patient’s Association web site. This publication provides valuable information on traveling with oxygen, including airlines that do and do not provide in-flight supplemental oxygen.
When You Make Your Reservation:
Arranging for Supplemental Oxygen (O2) Aboard the Aircraft
- Neither the Air Carrier Access Act nor the Americans with Disabilities Act require airlines to provide oxygen service. Consequently, airline policies, procedures and services on accommodating passengers who use supplemental oxygen vary widely.
- Notify the carrier when you make your reservation that you will need to use supplemental oxygen aboard the aircraft(s).
- Ask about the airline’s policies on the use of supplemental O² onboard. Federal regulations prohibit airlines from allowing passengers to bring their own oxygen canisters aboard to use during the flight. Passengers who use oxygen canisters must purchase canisters from the airline for use during the flight. However, some airlines do permit passengers to bring aboard oxygen concentrators, which do not contain oxygen, and use them during the flight. Policies vary from carrier to carrier, so be sure to check with your airline well in advance.
- Keep in mind that not all airlines offer supplemental oxygen service, or may not offer it aboard all their aircraft. Inquire whether: 1) the airline provides oxygen service, 2) it is available on the flights you wish to take, and 3) you must provide a doctor’s letter, or permit them to contact your doctor directly to verify your medical need.
Arranging for Supplemental Oxygen during Layovers or at Your Destination
- Notify the carrier(s) you are traveling with that you will need oxygen at the airport(s). Let them know that your O² supplier will be meeting you at the gate with an O² canister.
- Ask about their policy for allowing O² suppliers to meet you at the layover airports and/or at your destination gate.
- Contact your O² supplier and request that they make arrangements for your O² at the city or cities you’ll require. The supplier will need to know the airline(s) you’ll be using, departure and arrival dates and time, departure and arrival gates, flight number(s), arrival time(s), and the equipment you will need. Make all these arrangements as soon as possible.
- If a representative from the oxygen-providing company is going to meet your flight with an O² canister, arrange for your flight(s) to arrive during the supplier’s normal business hours, if possible. Also, have a local phone number and a contact person in the event of any unforeseen situation(s), such as if their representative is not at the arrival gate when you get there.
New TSA requirements for Portable Oxygen Travel
24 Nov 2010As the holidays are approaching and the TSA (Transportation Safety Administration) is very much in the news, we have received many questions regarding airline travel and portable oxygen concentrators. You can look forward to long lines and lots of moans and groans from passengers being groped, prodded, x-rayed, and otherwise inconvenienced. Should you be concerned about your portable oxygen concentrator being x-rayed? We asked that question of the technical support for Invacare’s Solo2 and XPO2, Respironics’ Evergo, Devilbiss’s iGo, and SeQual’s Eclipse, and the answer all around is, that won’t be a problem.
As Wednesday before Thanksgiving, the biggest travel day of the year approaches the portable oxygen community should most be concerned with delays in airports caused by the TSA full body scanners and those opting out, what how those delays will effect your calculated battery usage. Our advice, bring at least one extra battery for your portable oxygen concentrator because the TSA travel slow downs this holiday season!
According to the TSA website travelers with disabilities and medical conditions should consider these travel tips before you go.
- Provide advance notice to your airline or travel agent if you require assistance at the airport. TSA can only assist you with the screening process. Your airline will assist you through the airport facility and the screening queue line.
- If you require a companion or assistant to accompany you through the security checkpoint to reach your gate speak with your airline representative about obtaining a gate pass for your companion before entering the security checkpoint.
- The limit of one carry-on and one personal item (purse briefcase or computer case) does not apply to medical supplies, equipment, mobility aids, and/or assistive devices carried by and/or used by a person with a disability.
- Pack your medications in a separate pouch/bag to facilitate the inspection process. Ensure that containers holding medications are not too densely filled, and that all medication is clearly identified. It is recommended that passengers refrain from packing any medications in their checked baggage that they do not want exposed to X-rays. Instead, send larger quantities of medications to your destination by mail or any other way preferred.
- If you have medical documentation regarding your medical condition or disability, you can present this information to the Security Officer to help inform him of your situation. This documentation is not required and will not exempt you from the security screening process. Best Practice for traveling with oxygen is ALWAYS travel with your prescription for portable oxygen!
- Make sure all your carry-on items; equipment, mobility aids, and devices have an identification tag attached. (Be sure to have a “Property of” sticker on your portable oxygen concentrator, portable oxygen batteries, and other accessories!!)
- TSA recommends that you bring all the necessary tools and/or appliances that you require to put on or take off your prosthetic device (e.g. wrenches, pull sleeves, etc.) should you need to remove your prosthetic device for any reason. TSA allows these tools to be carried through the security checkpoint once they have been screened (see assistive devices and mobility aids for more details on prosthetic device screening). (We advise knowing how to efficiently disassemble and reassemble your portable oxygen concentrator)
- If you have a medical device (on the interior or exterior of your body) check with your doctor prior to traveling to determine if it is safe for you to go through the metal detector or be handwanded. If your Doctor indicates that you should not go through the metal detector or be handwanded, or if you are concerned, ask the Security Officer for a pat-down inspection instead.
- Your personal supplemental Oxygen will need to undergo screening. Check with your Doctor prior to coming to the checkpoint to ensure disconnection can be done safely.
- If your Doctor has indicated that you cannot be disconnected or if you are concerned, ask the Security Officer for an alternate inspection process while you remain connected to your oxygen source. (GoAssured’s advice if your doctor says stay connected: Have your doctor write on your prescription that you are not to be disconnected from your portable oxygen!)
- If you need an Oxygen Supplier to meet you at the gate, check with your airline well in advance of your departure about their procedures for allowing suppliers to meet you at the arrival’s gate since these procedures vary from airline to airline. For more information on the TSA and Supplemental Oxygen, please see our other TSA Oxygen Post.
Something to consider when traveling on oxygen, by boat, plane, train, or car…how long do your portable oxygen concentrator batteries really last for you? …and how do you know? In previous posts we have looked at traveling on an airplane and figuring how many batteries to bring to make you and the airline happy:
I’m going on a plane, how many batteries for my POC?
It is all very good advice, bring one and a half times the travel time in battery life. If your total trip is 6 hours and your portable concentrator battery calculation is one battery lasting about 4 hours, you would need two batteries.
Something all Portable Oxygen Concentrator users should consider is what isyour individual battery usage on your specific portable oxygen concentrator. Keep in mind that a number of factors can impact your BPM, exertion, food intake, altitude, anxiety, etc. The average person’s BPM is typically listed anywhere from 12 to 15. All manufacturers of portable oxygen concentrators have estimated battery run times for their concentrators based on BPM, or breaths per minute, using typical BPM of 12 to 15 times each minute that the average person takes a breath. Keep in mind typical means at rest, sitting, not walking around, not going through airport security, not being nervous about getting on a plane. Hmmm.
For the average person on oxygen therapy, that is a person who requires oxygen, the number of breaths per minute is probably higher than the BPM used to calculate portable oxygen run times by your manufacturer. For this reason I have a simple yet valuable suggestion, made even simpler if you are already the proud owner of a portable oxygen concentrator, perform a personal battery life test. First, make sure you have a supplemental power supply handy, either an external power supply, AC or DC, or a fresh battery,we don’t want you running out of oxygen now! Second, make sure you have a fully charged battery if you have a SeQual Eclipse, Devilbiss iGo, Invacare Solo2, or Invacare XPO2, or two fully charged batteries if you have a Respironics EverGo. Just a side note, the SeQual Eclipse, Devilbiss iGo, Invacare Solo2, and Invacare XPO2 have dual batteries inside what looks like one battery. Set a stop watch and get started, even just roaming around your home could be fine. How many breaths are you taking each minute? If the average person is 12 to 15, maybe you are 20BPM, perhaps you are a shallow breather? Maybe you are a mouth breather, which doesn’t do you much good with that cannula in your nose! The point is to get a baseline for your personal breath rate and subsequently your portable oxygen concentrators battery life. How long did the battery last? Now you have a better idea of the your individual battery consumption while on portable oxygen.
If your portable oxygen concentrator has an estimated battery life of 5 hours at a pulse setting of 2 with the average BPM rate of 12 used for the calculation, and you have a determined you take 24 breaths per minute, or twice the average, you can make some conclusions. Namely, since your BPM of 24 was twice that of the BPM used to calculate the portable oxygen concentrator run time, you will run through the batteries twice as fast. So in this instance, the battery life for your BPM would be 2.5 hours as opposed to 5 hours. The best thing you can do is practice on your portable concentrator, so you know what your actual battery run time will be.
If you do not own a portable oxygen concentrator, and are renting one for a trip, my recommendation is to bring one extra battery beyond what you may have calculated you would need to account for the variable of BPM.
One more thing to consider when you are planning a trip with your portable oxygen concentrator is this, how good are my batteries? What percentage of their original capacity are your batteries at now? As batteries are used, stored, charged and recharged, their capacity begins to degrade. We’ll look at battery capacity in a future post.
About this blog
If you have any questions about oxygen concentrators, liquid oxygen, portable oxygen, you have come to the right place. Whether you are lookiing to buy a POC, rent a POC for a trip, or understand how what that alarm means, you have come to the right place. Since 1992 we have immerseed in all things Oxygen Therapy, here you will find not only a users perspective, you will find the technicians perspective! Welcome!!
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