Using POC on the plane

[Samuel Kirton]

Hi Yomi,

The requirements for flying with a portable oxygen concentrator (POC) vary by airline. My comments are based on a flight in the US. Each airline has requirements for flying with a POC, and most require advance coordination, including paperwork signed off on by a doctor.

– Any crew member can deny boarding if they feel it is not safe for you to fly.

– If time allows, ask your care team to order a High Altitude Simulation Test (HAST) to confirm your oxygen requirements for a flight that long.

– If you require 3 LPM continuous flow, what POC are you using to achieve that level?

– Have a pulse oximeter with you. I noticed my oxygen saturation level dropped when I left my seat, even on a short walk to the restroom.

Sam…

[Yomi]

Thank you for the info. My portable oxygen is Inogen rove 6 pause flow and up to 6ltr.

[Samuel Kirton]

Yomi,

I wanted to provide the settings from the Rove 6 technical manual. A setting of 6 provides a total volume per minute (ml/min) of 1260 ml per minute, which converts to 1.26 lpm. Taking 10 breaths per minute, the flow becomes 126 ml per breath, which converts to 0.125 lpm. Taking 40 breaths per minute, the flow becomes 31.5 ml per breath, which converts to 0.0315 lpm. You can Google “Inogen Rove 6 Technical Manual” to verify this table.

[Adele Friedman]

Most POCs have setting numbers. Settings do not equate to liters per minute. Please don’t assume setting 3 is equal to 3 liters a minute from a tank or plug in concentrator. HAST test is a good idea. .

[ACA]

It is a little confusing with the settings VS liters per minute. I just did a quick search and the Inogen rove 6 does not deliver 6 lpm. It said somewhere around 2 lpm. Again it was a quick search please check to be sure it’s good for your needs.

[Steve McLean]

Actually Rove 6 pulse mode POC goes from .210ml on setting 1 to 1.26 ml on setting 6. This is not even close to 2L. This is typical confusion caused by DME’s that want to put put most patients into pulse mode POC’s which may not be adequate

[Bruce Hawn]

Doing the testing is a good idea, especially if you are currently using your Rove unit on level 6. Not much to go up on there. I have done a fair amount of flying with my POC on a number of various airlines. All have different requirements. For example, Delta Airlines uses a third-party provider to evaluate requests to use your POC in the air. No approval, you don’t get to fly. I have had international flight that require an Dr. to sign an approval form. Need to check requirements for each one and notify them in advance that you will need to use on board. A couple of regulatory issues, you should be aware of. I love aisle seats and have been forced from them a couple of times and have been forced to sit in a window seat. Apparently, they don’t want any POC users blocking the isle and middle seats, so it is technically mandatory, at least on U.S. flights, that POC users have a window seat. If you don’t want to get moved around book a window seat.

Another regulatory issue is to have enough batteries. The FAA requires that you have enough batteries to last 150% of your anticipated flight time, so for an 8-hour flight, you would need enough batteries for 12 hours. Another issue is double batteries. The FAA sets the amount the number of watt hours (“Wh”) and the amount of lithium that can be contained in each battery. This means that each battery must have less than 100 Wh and no more than 8 grams of lithium. If you have a double battery you will see that it will have Wh and Lithium grams listed twice with a plus sign between them. If you add them together, the maximum is exceeded. I had an airline agent tell me that they were illegal for that very reason, I researched it and the reason for the + is to indicate that your Inogen double battery is to be treated as “two separate batteries” each within FAA limits. Inogen has a one page “Battery Compliance Flyer that you should download and take with you when you fly. It can be downloaded here: https://www.inogen.com/resources/traveling-oxygen/traveling-by-plane/. You may have to cut and paste into a browser.

While I have yet to have any airline ask me about the length of POC airhose, I prefer 4′ hoses, but FAA regulations require a 7′ hose. I continue to use my 4′ hose, but carry a 7′ hose with me, just in case.

Also, your Inogen POC will have red lettering on it that states that it complies with FAA POC requirements. The airlines frequently ask to see that. I have even had a stewardess ask me to show it to her before I took my seat. Might want to familiarize yourself with its location. The good thing about a POC is that they allow you to board early when you get on your flight.

As to actual experience, it varies depending on what altitude the plane is pressurized at. Think they are pressurized between 6,000 and 8,000 feet. I have been able to use my POC at lower settings while sitting down, but I do get drops when I get up to go the bathroom. Everyone is different, I didn’t know you could get tested for what setting you need at altitude, but think it is a good idea to get it check out, especially if you are near the maximum setting for your POC. Good luck and have a safe trip.

inogen.com

Flying with Oxygen Concentrator | Inogen

Portable oxygen concentrators can be brought on airplanes! Learn more about how to prepare for travel with an oxygen concentrator before your next trip.

[Yomi]

Thank you, this is very informative. I really appreciate

[lku]

Bruce, thank you. This thread shows the confusion out there, especially about Inogen “ratings” and actual lpm ratings. You’ve cleared up a lot of questions I had about air travel, which I have not done since I srarted using POC. Before retirement, i was a more-than-a-million miles traveler.

Sadly, you’ve reinforced those who want me to fly again. I’ve enjoyed the sabbatical!

[Ghouse Basha Shaik]

Inogen 5 with double battery pack will last about 3 hrs. with 3 lpm discharge. Please carry two extra double battery packs and with these you will be able to fly 8 hrs. You should produce travel fitness form signed by your doctor to the Airlines and get their approval for air travel. Some aircrafts will have 110 volts 50 hz. Plug points with which you should be able to charge your battery packs.

[Fran Kakabeeke]

I have used an Inogen 5 several times on domestic flights. So far only fly United. I contact United 48 hours prior to my flight. They remind me of how many hours of battery life to have available and to have a signed slipped by my physician that I need the POC while on the flight. The doctor prescribes the setting and I’ve been told that I must use that setting and not a greater one. No one has ever checked my setting or asked to see the letter but I always carry it with me. Since I don’t need the POC while on the ground, I put it on when the flight takes off. It is an advantage that I pre-board and can get settled without disturbing others. I have a backpack style carrier designed to carry the Inogen 5 that has a pocket for the cannula so only use a length needed. I prefer the window seat so that is not an issue for me. I have had the attendant tell me to be sure the unit is under the seat in front of me that can be an issue on smaller planes and it is hard to turn it on with the unit totally under the seat. I make do. Thankful to have this unit to visit my son who lives a distance from me.