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Tuesday 17 September 2019

Travelling with Portable Oxygen, it can be done!

{Ad/collaborative} Working in healthcare I occasionally see patients that require oxygen at home and when out and about. It can be daunting and difficult to adjust to life when using oxygen, they can be cumbersome and impractical but of course a necessity in certain people's life. It can be an uncertain and anxious time for a patient that has been advised may need a little helping hand with their breathing and oxygen levels, however being able to use portable oxygen means that actually life can go on and travelling within the UK and abroad is absolutely an option. Below I have compiled some tips for when using portable oxygen and travelling.

- Use a reputable supplier. Someone who is willing to answer questions and queries and can advise on what can and can't be taken out of the country. Did you know that you are not able to take NHS concentrators out of the country however there are other options available such as The Oxygen Store which will enable you to do so. 

- You can fly with oxygen, there are a number of FAA approved portable oxygen concentrators that can be used (see website for further information) which is amazing to support and empower the person using the cylinders. 



- Although a NHS prescription is not required when purchasing oxygen a reputable company will make sure that you have medical supervision or are under GP/consultant care.

- When travelling with oxygen it is important to pre plan and think ahead. A signature is likely to be required and a fitness to fly/travel may need to be obtained. So it's important to have an open dialogue with your healthcare professional to ensure that they are happy to give you clearance to fly.

- Make sure you ask any questions that you are unsure about! Reputable companies and healthcare professionals are there to offer advice and answer any questions that you may have.

It's so vital that people that use oxygen feel empowered and encouraged to lead as normal a life as possible. Life can go on and with the use of portable oxygen it can enable a person to try and lead as normal a life as possible. 

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