Check the airline's oxygen policyOthers will allow you to bring your own Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved portable oxygen concentrator (POC) onto the flight, but will often specify the type of device you can use.
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Others will allow you to bring your own Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved portable oxygen concentrator (POC) onto the flight, but will often specify the type of device you can use. You should speak to your airline as early as possible to make sure that they are able to accommodate your needs.
The air on a plane contains less oxygen than the air we normally breathe in.This leads to lower levels of oxygen in the blood. If you do not have a lung condition, the drop in oxygen is not enough that you would feel the difference.
Contact your airline for instructions on arranging oxygen service. Airlines are not required to provide oxygen service and many do not. Passengers may carry portable oxygen concentrators (POCs).
One study found a passenger had a blood oxygen saturation of 94% at ground level and 85% at altitude. This study concluded that this hypoxia in conjunction with the dehydration, immobility and low humidity associated with airplane travel could contribute to morbidity during and after airplane travel.
Values >95% on room air suggest that inflight hypoxemia is unlikely and that further evaluation is likely not necessary. Patients with saturations <92% on room air at rest should receive supplemental oxygen inflight, because they are at high risk of hypoxemia at altitude.
A simple pulse oximeter reading while you are at high altitude, at rest and during activity, can determine if oxygen is needed at altitude. Alternatively, some pulmonary function labs can perform an altitude simulation test to determine your oxygen saturation at altitude.
Treatment of HypoxiaIf hypoxia is suspected in yourself or others on board an aircraft, follow these simple steps: Administer supplemental oxygen (don your oxygen mask) Check your equipment for proper operation. Ensure the regulator is turned on.
For best protection, you are encouraged to use supplemental oxygen above 10,000 feet MSL. At night, because vision is particularly sensitive to diminished oxygen, a prudent rule is to use supplemental oxygen when flying above 6,000 feet MSL. So, when you fly at high altitudes, supplemental oxygen is the only solution.
The only oxygen equipment allowed on an airplane is the portable oxygen concentrator (POC). If you need oxygen in flight, you must take a portable oxygen concentrator with you, and , you must let your airline know ahead of time. They may require a doctor's letter to verify the need for the POC on the plane.