Travel, flying and exercise Annette Duck Nottingham 2012

Most people can travel somewhere…… All it takes is some thought and planning!

Planning Is it safe to travel? Is it safe to travel? Is it safe to fly? Is it safe to fly? Where is it best to go? Where is it best to go? What do I do about oxygen? What do I do about oxygen? What about travel insurance? What about travel insurance?

Is it safe to travel? Check with your doctor Check with your doctor Most people can travel somewhere Most people can travel somewhere May need to consider May need to consider –Location with few hills –Good transportation links –Central hotel close to amenities –Emergency supply of antibiotics/steroids

Is it safe to fly? May need flight assessment to check whether you require oxygen whilst in-flight May need flight assessment to check whether you require oxygen whilst in-flight Doctor will be requested by airline to supply a ‘fit to fly’ letter Doctor will be requested by airline to supply a ‘fit to fly’ letter Prevent in-flight dehydration by: Prevent in-flight dehydration by: –Moving around aircraft frequently –No alcohol –Drink plenty of fluids

Commercial aircraft typically fly at 38,000 ft (11,582 m) Regulations state the cabin pressure should not be less than the equivalent atmospheric pressure at 8000 ft (2,438 m) This is the equivalent to breathing 15.1% O 2 at sea level, whereas there is 21% 0 2 at seal level Commercial aircraft environment

40% venturi mask driven with 100% N 2

(pO 2 kPa) Oxygen dissociation curve Normal pO 2 Normal pO 2 at 2,500 m Lowest pO 2 for safe flight

Where is it best to go? Try UK trip first- you can order holiday oxygen to be supplied anywhere in England and Wales- Air Products prefer 2 weeks notice. Try UK trip first- you can order holiday oxygen to be supplied anywhere in England and Wales- Air Products prefer 2 weeks notice. Contact your oxygen supplier and oxygen assessment service Contact your oxygen supplier and oxygen assessment service Check that your destination will accept oxygen on the premises Check that your destination will accept oxygen on the premises Holiday dates and address to supply. Holiday dates and address to supply.

What about oxygen? Oxygen can be ordered for in-flight use – contact airline index-page.htm click on letter of airline Oxygen can be ordered for in-flight use – contact airline index-page.htm click on letter of airline index-page.htm index-page.htm Oxygen can be ordered for your country of destination - contact then click on country of destination to see how to arrange oxygen. Oxygen can be ordered for your country of destination - contact then click on country of destination to see how to arrange oxygen. As long as you arrange oxygen through approved route and keep receipts oxygen costs for the EU can be reimbursed on return to the UK from Dept. of Work and Pensions Tel: As long as you arrange oxygen through approved route and keep receipts oxygen costs for the EU can be reimbursed on return to the UK from Dept. of Work and Pensions Tel: Outside Europe need to contact local oxygen contractor Outside Europe need to contact local oxygen contractor Cruise- Omega Advanced Aeromedical Tel: Cruise- Omega Advanced Aeromedical Tel:

What about travel insurance? Medical costs within EU are covered for UK citizens – European Health Insurance Card available from or telephone Medical costs within EU are covered for UK citizens – European Health Insurance Card available from or telephone www.dh.gov.uk/travellers You should still try and obtain travel insurance in case you are taken ill and need to be flown back home You should still try and obtain travel insurance in case you are taken ill and need to be flown back home You need travel insurance for everywhere else to the world to include medical costs. You need travel insurance for everywhere else to the world to include medical costs.

Need more help….. Contact British Lung Foundation on.. Contact British Lung Foundation on.. lungs/living-with-a-lung-condition/going- on-holiday-with-a-lung-condition lungs/living-with-a-lung-condition/going- on-holiday-with-a-lung-condition lungs/living-with-a-lung-condition/going- on-holiday-with-a-lung-condition lungs/living-with-a-lung-condition/going- on-holiday-with-a-lung-condition Tel: Tel: Mon to Fri 10 am to 6 pm Mon to Fri 10 am to 6 pm