LIVING WITH IPF

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TRAINS, PLANES, AND IPF

Although traveling can be tiring if you have IPF, there is no reason to stay at home while others take vacations, visit family, or travel for business. Traveling with supplemental oxygen may mean that you encounter some extra challenges, but with planning you can be comfortable and safe on the road or in the air.

General suggestions for travelers with IPF:

• If you use supplemental oxygen, plan travel as far in advance as possible
• Work with your healthcare team to improve your breathing ability
• Check with your doctor to make sure it is safe for you to travel
• Decide how you will be most comfortable traveling—by car, bus, train, plane, or ship
• If your destination is at a high elevation (such as Denver, Santa Fe, or the Grand Canyon), ask your doctor about additional oxygen needs

GROUND TRAVEL WITH OXYGEN

Requirements change frequently, so please check with your carrier for the latest and most accurate information.

While some people load the car with their oxygen tanks and make road trips, others prefer the comfort of a train or bus. Whichever you prefer, here are some tips that may help:

• Check with the individual carrier about current requirements for people traveling with oxygen
• Amtrak will allow oxygen equipment on board, with a limit of two 75-pound tanks or six 20-pound tanks. In addition:
  • All tanks and equipment must be Underwriters Laboratory (UL) listed
  • Do not count on onboard electrical power; plan for a 12- hour backup oxygen supply that does not require electricity
  • Bring an adequate oxygen supply for the length of your trip, plus 20% extra to allow for delays
  • For current information, call 800-USA-RAIL and ask for the Special Service desk
• Greyhound bus lines require 48 hours advance notice if you plan to travel with oxygen. In addition:
  • Make reservations as far in advance as possible
  • Speak with someone in Customer Relations when making reservations
  • Request a copy of Greyhound’s policies regarding oxygen equipment
  • For further information, contact Greyhound Customer Relations, 800-752-4841
• If transporting your oxygen by car, be aware of safety issues; don’t store tanks near high heat, and keep them standing and well secured—in an accident, an unsecured tank could cause injury and create a fire hazard

AIR TRAVEL WITH OXYGEN

Do your homework if you plan to fly—each airline has different rules that can change at any time. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that you provide a doctor's statement of your ability to travel and of your oxygen needs before you will be allowed to take or use oxygen on a commercial airline flight. If you plan to travel by air:

• Contact the airline as far in advance as possible
• Call your current oxygen provider; they may be able to provide helpful suggestions and information
• Make arrangements through the airline’s special services or medical departments; regular reservation clerks may not have the information you need
• Few airlines allow you to bring your own oxygen equipment; if you must use airline-supplied oxygen, ask about the cost
• Airlines do not provide oxygen for use in terminals; if you must change planes or disembark for layovers, you will need to make other arrangements
• Many airlines allow oxygen concentrators because they do not contain gas; however, check in advance
• For additional information, contact your travel agent or airline directly

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