Medical Health Encyclopedia

Oxygen During Travel. For those on continuous oxygen therapy who are traveling by plane, oxygen should be increased during the trip by one to two liters per minute. Supplemental oxygen may be required during air travel for those with COLD who are on intermittent oxygen therapy if the trip is longer than two hours and they develop symptoms or experience a drop in PO2 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 $1500. It should be noted, however, that aircraft cabins are actually pressurized to the equivalent of 8000 feet above sea level. (Most people believe they are pressurized to sea level.) Such pressures could be potentially dangerous for people with severe COLD. More research is needed.

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.

Text Continues Below

---

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 four hours. Some weigh 9.5 lb with oxygen lasting eight 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.