Here are the 7 new machines:

• AirSep Focus
• AirSep FreeStyle 5
• InogenOne G3
• Inova Labs LifeChoice Activeox
• Respironics SimplyGo
• Precision Medical EasyPulse
• Sequal SAROS

Advanced Aeromedical, Inc. has been your source for Portable Oxygen Concentrator’s since they were first approved in 2005. We have been assisting people traveling with oxygen for over 30 years now. These new approved Portable Oxygen Concentrator’s open up more doors and give oxygen patients more options for travel. We are here to assist at 1-800-346-3556, on call 24hrs for support.

We are updating our website and Battery Duration Chart to reflect the new changes. If your organization would like the updated Color FAA Approved Battery Duration Chart, send us an email at info@aeromedic.com. This is offered at no cost.

Here is an interesting quote from the new page on the TSA website:

If a passenger can disconnect from his or her portable oxygen concentrator, it is recommended that the passenger check the equipment as checked baggage whenever possible.

Here at Advanced Aeromedical, Inc. we feel this is not a good recommendation.  You are responsible for your own equipment, whether you own it yourself or are renting a portable oxygen concentrator from a medical equipment provider. If you check as luggage a critical medical supply equipment like a portable oxygen concentrator, you run the risk of loss or damage.

We have been working with people traveling with oxygen equipment for over 30 years. We have worked with many people who check full size oxygen concentrators and small portable oxygen concentrators and arrive at there destination to find out the equipment has been damaged or missing. If you are traveling and mistakenly checked your portable oxygen concentrator and it is broken, call us at 1-800-346-3556 for assistance.

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/portable-oxygen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq3r1wMjdyw

Advanced Aeromedical provides sales and rentals of FAA Approved portable oxygen concentrators and the Invacare Precise Rx Pediatric Flowmeter. Call us at 800-346-3556 for any questions or send us a message from our contact page. We are here to assist.

Invacare Precise Rx Pediatric Flow Meter with the iGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkErJAmMf2A

Advanced Aeromedical rents and sells Portable Oxygen Concentrators. We are here to assist at 800-346-3556 or send us an email at info@aeromedic.com.

Most Oxygen Concentrators are manufactured for Adults. Most Pediatricians will allow the use of these machines when needed. Consult with, and get a written order from the Pediatrican prior to using this setup.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmAbDRwQyNk

Advanced Aeromedical rents and sells Portable Oxygen Concentrators. We are here to assist at 800-346-3556 or send us an email at info@aeromedic.com.

Most Oxygen Concentrators are manufactured for Adults. Most Pediatricians will allow the use of these machines when needed. Consult with, and get a written order from the Pediatrican prior to using this setup.

• The user must be able to operate the device and recognize any and all alarms associated with the machine. If the user can not, they must travel with someone who can.
• The specific phases of flight where the portable oxygen concentrator is needed, ie: taxi, takeoff, cruise, and landing.
• The max oxygen flow rate corresponding to cabin pressure under normal operating conditions. (JetBlue Cabins are pressurized to 8,000 feet)
• Must be printed on Physician Letterhead within a year to date of travel

1. FAA Approved Device:  Currently there are 12 FAA Approved Portable Oxygen Concentrators. Most have a label stating it is FAA approved for in flight use. There are a few machines awaiting approval. Compressed gas oxygen tanks or liquid oxygen portable units are forbidden on commercial flights.  An FAA approved portable oxygen concentrator is only allowed to bring on and use.
2. Batteries: Most airlines require 150% of the flight time to equal your battery time. So, if its a 4 hour flight, 6 hours of battery time is needed to meet the airlines requirements. Each portable oxygen concentrator has different settings for different liter flows.  Higher flows mean less battery time. Click here for a battery duration chart of all the current FAA Approved Portable Oxygen Concentrator’s. Some airlines like United & Continental have different rules regarding the batteries. There rule is travel time plus 3 hours. So, a 4 hour flight requires 7 hours of battery time. Other airlines may not count a stop somewhere, United & Continental do. Travel time includes any stops along the way. Ensure you check with your airlines website regarding there specific battery requirements.
3. The Physician Statemet: Each airline has there own specific Physician Statement, check your airlines website for a PDF to download and have your doctor review and sign. This one page document must be carried with you on the plane. It states that the patient can use a Portable Oxygen Concentrator for various or all stages of travel. There is a place for the doctor to establish a Liter Flow or LPM for the flight. Some people use the same flow rates in the air as on the ground. Some people need higher flow rates in the air than on the ground. It is important to know exactly what your needs are for the trip. Some airlines like Delta, have a 3rd party to review your statement that was signed by your doctor. Delta and this 3rd party require a 48 hour notice to approve your document is filled out correctly. You may be flying on multiple airlines, ensure you have each airlines specific physician statement about using a portable oxygen concentrator with you, one for each carrier your flying on.

Planning is key to a successful trip while using a portable oxygen concentrator. Advanced Aeromedical is a great source for information about traveling with oxygen. Advanced Aeromedical rents and sells FAA Approved Portable Oxygen Concentrators. Call us at 800-346-3556 or check out aeromedic.com

By Eben B. “Skip” Scribner IV

Hazardous Materials Regulations:

49 CFR Parts 173, 175 and 178

FR E7-19207

Transportation of Compressed Oxygen, Other Oxidizing Gases and Chemical Oxygen Generators on Aircraft

Enforced as of October 1, 2009

Persons who use Therapeutic oxygen and wish to travel on the airlines have options ranging from the use of customer owned/acquired Portable Oxygen Concentrator’s (POC’s) and/or purchasing airline provided therapeutic oxygen in compressed gas cylinders.

Carriers now fall under E7-19207 regulations that began enforcement on October 1, 2009. As a result, we have seen a few carriers discontinue their Therapeutic oxygen programs, partly due to the cost of the required Super Box containers to move the oxygen cylinders throughout their served airport locations.

The HM 224B Super Box containers must withstand penetration of a 1700ºF flame for 5 minutes, in accordance with Part III of Appendix F, Paragraphs (a) (3) and (f) (5) of 14 CFR part 25.

In the past, a carrier would send ATA300 rated packaged oxygen cylinders, in the cargo hold of the aircraft to the needed airport of departure for the requesting passenger ahead of time. When the passenger showed up for their flight, the needed Therapeutic oxygen was standing by on the jet way for their flight.

As of this writing, Alaska, Continental and Delta/Northwest have either discontinued or temporarily suspended their onboard Therapeutic oxygen programs. Both American and United airlines continue their programs.

Impacts and choices:

Persons who use either a “Pulse delivery” type of flow on POC’s with manufacturer settings up to 6, or a “Continuous” flow up to, but not exceeding 3 liters per minute (LPM), can use a POC. Those who need a continuous flow over 3 LPM would need to explore alternate methods of obtaining oxygen, as there are currently no POC models capable of a continuous flow higher than 3 LPM.

Since there are very few airlines now providing Therapeutic oxygen, it is imperative that passengers check with their individual airlines as to their oxygen customer policy prior to booking their trip. If the passenger has a need for greater than 3 LPM, alternate routing options using a carrier that can provide the needed higher flow oxygen, may be necessary.

In speaking to some of the carriers representatives who have responsibility in this area, it is very clear to me that the airlines who have stopped providing the service certainly wish there could have been another choice. Due to fiscal constraints with regards to the cost of the “Super Boxes” and the small overall percentage of passengers requesting flows higher than can be accommodated by POC’s, they were not left with many options.

POC’s have certainly made air travel more seamless for the bulk of the oxygen dependent community. With new innovations like the POC’s, one must always remember to be educated in the proper use of the product. I have already been made aware of horror stories involving passengers who were not educated on how to use the unit. They were not Knowledgeable on how to adjust the flow, or change batteries on the unit. Some have also come to the airport to travel and had not given appropriate advance notification that they would be traveling with and using a POC. They didn’t have the required physician’s statement with them, or just did not realize they needed one.

Some were beginning a long flight and arrived with far below the proper amount of batteries needed for the trip (typically 150% of the flight time in batteries). All of these instanced could have been avoided with pre-planning and communicating with the airline ahead of time.

In summary, if you or someone you know uses Therapeutic oxygen at a flow rate higher than 3 LPM in flight, you need to stop and evaluate your choices in air travel before booking future travel. The field of choices has narrowed and you may have to rethink how you will get to your final destination.

Feel free to contact the author at +1-757-481-1590 with questions or comments.