Traveling with the Concentrator. Invacare Platinum Mobil, POC1–100B-C, POC1–100B

2.4

Traveling with the Concentrator

Before Traveling

1.

Contact your travel carrier and/or tour guide about your travel plans and provide information about your intent to use a portable oxygen concentrator during your travels. The carrier will let you know if you will be permitted to use your concentrator during your travel and if there are any restrictions for use.

If you are not permitted to use your concentrator on the carrier of choice and still want to take it with you:

•

Carry it and any supplemental batteries on board with you.

•

Ensure the unit is turned off.

•

Stow it properly for the trip.

•

DO NOT place the concentrator or any supplemental batteries in checked baggage.

2.

Contact the carrier to see if they have seats with a power outlet that you can use to power the concentrator during travel. If a power outlet is not available, be sure to bring enough supplemental batteries to last 150% of the travel time.

There may be unexpected delays beyond scheduled travel times. Carry your power adapters with you so you can recharge batteries before and after the trip.

3.

Charge the installed battery of the concentrator and any supplemental batteries fully before you depart, thus extending the operating time of the concentrator during travel. Refer to

Charging the Battery(s) in Setup.

Safety

4.

Ensure the unit is free of all grease, oil, or other petroleum products and that the unit is in good working order, is free of damage, and the air filter is clean. Refer to the Preventative

Maintenance Checklist in Maintenance.

5.

Contact your oxygen supplier to make arrangements if you need to have backup oxygen at your destination.

Traveling By Air

Arriving at the Airport

1.

Allow the security agent to inspect your concentrator, even if you are using it, when going through the security checkpoint.

They are required to allow you to travel through the checkpoint with your concentrator, but they MUST inspect it for security reasons.

2.

Use your AC power adapter while you are in the airport, if possible. This will keep the battery(s) at full charge and give you the most battery powered operating time on the aircraft.

Boarding the Plane

You are not permitted to sit in an exit row if you plan to use your concentrator at any time during the flight.

1.

If you plan on using the concentrator the entire time you are on the plane, verify that your concentrator does not block access to an emergency exit or aisle way. If it does, request a seat change.

2.

In order for the flight crew to ensure the safety of you and all of the other passengers on the flight, allow them to inspect the concentrator to confirm that it is FAA approved for use on the flight.

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Invacare® Platinum™ Mobile

3.

If you are not planning to use your concentrator during taxi, takeoff, or landing, you MUST store it in an approved storage area so it does not block the row or aisle access.

Contact the flight crew about location of approved storage areas.

On the Plane

You MUST store the supplemental battery either securely connected to the concentrator or in your carry-on baggage.

The supplemental battery MUST be protected from damage and shorting out the external power connector.

1.

You may use your concentrator when moving about the cabin,

ONLY after the pilot turns off the “Fasten Seat Belt” sign.

2.

Turn off the unit if the concentrator alarms during the flight, unless the alarm resets itself. If the alarm does not reset, the concentrator MUST be turned off and stored in an approved storage area.

3.

If an AC power outlet with a minimum 100W capacity is available on the flight, perform the following: a.

Connect the power adapter to the concentrator.

b.

Plug in the power adapter into the airline power outlet.

c.

Turn the unit on.

If you have any trouble making the connections to the plane’s power outlet, contact the flight crew for assistance.

After the Flight

1.

Ensure you have enough power to run your concentrator while leaving the airport. Recharge the battery(s), if necessary. Refer to Charging the Battery(s) in Setup.

2.

Contact your medical gas supplier to obtain your backup oxygen supply, if necessary.

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Traveling by Boat

Contact the cruise line and inform them you are traveling with a concentrator. There should be no restrictions on your use of the concentrator during your travel, but it is wise to check with them ahead of time. Power should be available for use of your AC power adapter during your travels, but check first.

Traveling by Train

Contact the train authorities at least twelve hours ahead of arrival that you are going to use your concentrator. There should be no restrictions on your use of the concentrator, but power on the train may not be available for your use during travel times. Ensure there is enough battery life for your trip before you leave.

Traveling by Bus

Contact the bus line about using a concentrator. There should be no restrictions on your use of the concentrator during your trip, but power may not be available for your use during travel times. Ensure there is enough battery life for your trip before you leave.

Traveling by Car

There should be no restrictions on your use of the concentrator during your trip, but power may not be available for your use during travel times. Ensure there is enough battery life for your trip before you leave.

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