Portable Oxygen Explained: What You Need to Know Before the December Holidays

Matthew Hellyar

6 days ago

6 min read

Excerpt: How portable oxygen works, and how to plan a December holiday on oxygen: flights, road trips, batteries, heat and the braai.

December is when South Africa packs the car. Families head for the coast, the bush and the grandparents’ house, and the N1 and N3 fill up with roof racks and cooler boxes.

If you use oxygen, the holidays don’t have to mean staying at home. They do mean planning, and the earlier you start, the easier the trip will be.

This guide explains how portable oxygen works, then takes you through flying, road trips and life at your destination, step by step.

Quick answers Can I fly with oxygen? Yes, with an airline-approved portable concentrator and the airline’s permission arranged in advance. Your own cylinder can’t go on board. How early should I plan? Weeks, not days. Speak to your doctor first, then your airline and your oxygen provider. Can I take oxygen on a road trip? Yes. Charge your concentrator in the car, secure any cylinders in the passenger area, and never leave your equipment in a parked car. What’s the golden rule this festive season? Keep oxygen well away from braais, fire pits, candles and cigarettes.

Portable oxygen, explained

There are two main ways to take oxygen with you:

	Portable oxygen concentrator (POC)	Portable cylinder
How it works	Makes oxygen from the air around you	Stores a fixed supply of oxygen
Power	Battery, wall socket or car charger	None needed
When it runs out	When the battery runs flat	When the cylinder is empty
On a plane?	Yes, if the airline approves it	No

Pulse dose vs continuous flow

Many portable concentrators use pulse dose: they release a burst of oxygen each time you breathe in. Home concentrators and cylinders usually deliver continuous flow: a steady stream, measured in litres per minute.

The two are not interchangeable. A pulse setting of 2 is not the same as 2 litres per minute of continuous flow, and some patients need continuous flow, which many small portable units can’t deliver.

Is a portable concentrator right for you?

The right portable depends on your prescription, not on the price tag or the brochure. Before you choose one, ask:

Does my prescription require continuous flow?
How many hours a day will I be away from a plug?
Can I comfortably carry the unit and its batteries?
Will it meet my needs when I’m walking, not just sitting?

Your doctor and your oxygen provider should answer these with you. (Related reading: Going Cheap on a Portable Oxygen Concentrator Can Cost You Twice.)

tart with your doctor

Before you book anything, tell your doctor where you’re going and how you’re getting there.

Flying changes the air you breathe. Aircraft cabins are pressurised to the equivalent of up to about 2,400 metres (8,000 feet), so there is less oxygen in the air than on the ground. Some people need oxygen to fly even if they don’t use it at home, and your doctor may arrange a test to find out.

Your destination matters too. Johannesburg already sits at around 1,750 metres above sea level. A week at the coast is a very different trip from a drive over a mountain pass. Your doctor will know whether your destination changes anything for you.

Get your paperwork together. Ask for a copy of your prescription. If you’re flying, ask your doctor to complete the airline’s medical clearance forms.

Flying with oxygen: step by step

Speak to your doctor. Ask whether you’ll need oxygen during the flight and whether a test is needed. Ask for a copy of your prescription and for the airline’s medical forms to be completed.
Contact your airline when you book. Every airline has its own process, and most need medical clearance and advance notice. FlySafair, for example, requires prior written approval at least 48 hours before departure, along with its special needs form and a doctor’s note.
Check your concentrator is accepted. Airlines list the models they accept, and they can refuse a concentrator without the manufacturer’s label showing it meets FAA requirements. Check both before you fly.
Plan your batteries. Pack enough to cover the whole journey: check-in, waiting at the gate, the flight and possible delays, plus a buffer. Don’t count on charging on board.
Book airport assistance if you need it. If walking long distances at the airport is difficult, arrange assistance when you book.
Pack your hand luggage carefully. Your concentrator, charged batteries, charger, a spare cannula, your prescription, the airline’s approval letter and your medication should all travel with you, not in the hold.
Arrive early on the day. Allow extra time for check-in and security. Airlines generally won’t seat oxygen users in an exit row.

Road trips with oxygen

The great South African road trip is still the most popular way to holiday, and with a little preparation it works well on oxygen.

Charge on the move. Most portable concentrators have a car charger. Check that yours does well before the day you leave.
Secure your cylinders. Keep them in the passenger area, secured so they can’t roll, with a window slightly open. Never put them in the boot.
Never leave equipment in a parked car. December heat inside a closed car can damage a concentrator and is dangerous for a cylinder.
Plan your stops on long N1 and N3 drives, and know where you could get help along the route.
No smoking in the car, by anyone.

For more on cylinders, read our guide to oxygen cylinders at home.

At your holiday destination

Check the power. Make sure there’s a wall socket near where you’ll sleep. Bring your backup oxygen, because power cuts happen on holiday too.
Mind the braai. The festive season is fire season: braais, fire pits, candles and fireworks. Keep your oxygen at least 3 metres from any open flame, and make sure no one smokes near you.
Protect your equipment from sun and sand. Concentrators need clean, free-flowing air, so keep yours in the shade and off the sand.
Know your emergency numbers. Call 10177 for an ambulance, or 112 from a cellphone. Find out where the nearest hospital is when you arrive.

Your holiday oxygen checklist

Before you go	✓
Doctor consulted about your trip and destination
Prescription copy and medical clearance forms
Airline approval confirmed in writing (if flying)
Concentrator checked against the airline’s list and FAA label
Batteries charged, plus spares
Car charger and spare cannula packed
Backup oxygen arranged for your destination
Your oxygen provider’s holiday contact number saved

Plan your holiday oxygen with Respocare

Don’t own a portable concentrator? Ask us about renting one for your trip. Need extra cylinders, or a backup plan for where you’re staying? Speak to us early, not the week you leave.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take my oxygen cylinder on a plane?

No. Airlines generally don’t allow passengers to bring their own oxygen cylinders on board. To use oxygen during a flight, you will usually need an airline-approved portable oxygen concentrator and the airline’s permission, arranged before you fly.

Do I need permission to fly with a portable oxygen concentrator?

Yes. Airlines require advance notice and usually medical clearance. FlySafair, for example, requires prior written approval at least 48 hours before departure, along with its special needs form and a doctor’s note.

How many batteries do I need for a flight?

Enough to power your concentrator for the whole journey, including check-in, waiting, the flight itself and possible delays, plus a buffer. Check your airline’s specific requirement before you travel.

What is the difference between pulse dose and continuous flow?

Continuous flow delivers oxygen steadily, measured in litres per minute. Pulse dose releases a burst of oxygen each time you breathe in. A pulse setting is not the same as the same number of litres per minute, so your doctor and oxygen provider should confirm which suits your prescription.

Can I go on holiday if I use oxygen?

Many people on oxygen travel safely with good planning. Speak to your doctor about your travel plans and destination, and to your oxygen provider about portable equipment, batteries and backup oxygen.

Planning a holiday on oxygen? Call Respocare on 010 109 2122 or email sales@respocare.co.za. We support home oxygen patients across Johannesburg and Pretoria.

This guide is general information. Speak to your doctor before travelling, and confirm requirements directly with your airline.