Blog Home

Brevard Medical Equipment

Recent Comments

    Posts Tagged ‘travel’

    Let’s have an adventure! Air travel tips for those with limited mobility

    Posted on: February 25th, 2015 by BrevardBlogger No Comments
    Is 2015 your year to travel?

    Is 2015 your year to travel?

    Traveling can present unique challenges for people with limited mobility. Car and bus trips often require careful transfer to and from wheelchairs or walkers, and they can involve long periods of sitting and bumpy conditions. Even still, because of the logistics involved in air travel, people with limited mobility sometimes visit destinations that are only within driving distance.

    But there’s no need to limit yourself! If you do your research and make plans in advance, there’s no reason why you can’t have a safe and comfortable experience traveling by air. Brevard Medical has put together some ideas to help.

    Give yourself extra time: When booking, check layover lengths to be sure that you will have adequate time to board and exit the aircraft and get to your connecting gate. Ninety minutes is a suggested layover length for those with limited mobility, but if you know you will be going through immigration or customs, try to plan for two hours. Also, on your departure day, arrive at the airport one hour earlier than the airline advises.

    Choose your gear: If you’ve ever thought about purchasing a foldable wheelchair, this is a great time to do it! Many people prefer to travel with their own wheelchairs, rather than using an airport chair, and a foldable wheelchair can make this possible. As another bonus, foldable chairs can often be stored onboard, while manual wheelchairs that do not fold must be checked for transport in the cargo hold.

    Consider renting: In many cases, it is far more convenient to rent medical equipment upon arriving at your destination. If you’ll be traveling to the Orlando area, we can help! Brevard Medical provides rentals for a wide variety of equipment, ranging from wheelchairs and scooters to portable oxygen concentrators and shower chairs. We offer delivery to the Orlando Airport and to Port Canaveral. Visit our rentals page for more information!

    If this is your year to have an adventure, your friends at Brevard Medical are here to help! If we can be of any assistance as your prepare supplies for your journey, please give us a call at 321-453-3370. Happy travels!

    Travel Smart with your CPAP

    Posted on: April 17th, 2014 by BrevardBlogger No Comments

     

    CPAP

    Don’t let your CPAP machine hinder your travel plans, enjoy your vacation with these easy travel tips

    Traveling with a CPAP machine isn’t as hard as you think.  Don’t think because you have one, it limits you to only using it in your home.  It is very common to see people carry-on their CPAP machines and supplies just like another bag. At Brevard Medical Equipment in Melbourne, Florida, we’re experts in helping patients get their CPAP equipment and other home medical equipment on board the leading airlines, cruise liners and trains. Let us help you today; but first, read our tips in this blog!

    The three most general ways other than driving a car to get to your travel destinations are planes, cruise ships and trains. The most common way to travel is by air and here are a few tips to travel smart with you CPAP:

    • Before scheduling a flight, make sure your CPAP machine is approved by certain airlines.
    • Make sure to reserve a seat in either first or business class to gain access to a power outlet called EmPower. Make sure to bring the right adapter!
    • Try to arrive two hours before your flight. With TSA (Transportation Security Administration) restrictions and security check-in, having a CPAP machine will make your check-in a little bit longer.
    • CPAP machines can be checked in and classified as checked luggage or carry-on items. Security will more than likely inspect your machine and supplies, and remove the machine from the travel case while not un-hooking the face mask or tubes. It will also be checked for explosive traces.

    Keep in mind if you are traveling internationally and have a newer machine, it will be compatible with different voltages you might come across.  Make sure to pack those universal power supplies. If not, you’ll have to run off the available power system.

    Brevard Medical Equipment hopes these tips will help with your next vacation. To set up oxygen or other medical supplies for your next trip, please contact Freedom Link.

    Where in the World is Your CPAP Machine

    Posted on: April 15th, 2014 by BrevardBlogger No Comments

     

    CPAP travel tips

    These CPAP travel tips can make traveling though airports much easier.

    Your CPAP machine doesn’t move from where you sleep other than to get cleaned or repaired. What do you do in case you go on vacation or stay the night at a relative’s home halfway across the United States or world? If you need to travel by airplane, Brevard Medical Equipment can help provide you with some tips and tricks to get your CPAP machine and equipment through security.

    It is important to read your airline’s rules and regulations regarding how you can bring your CPAP machine on board and get through security.  If you tend to travel a lot, it may be smart to have a second CPAP machine that is more compact and easier to store.  Do not pack your equipment in your checked luggage.  In case of this luggage getting misplaced, you may not be able to continue your therapy for a few days.

    It may be that you get nervous walking up to security stations inside the airport.  There is no way of getting around security holding on to CPAP equipment.  The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are used to seeing CPAP machines and know how to check over them accordingly.  The CPAP machine itself will need to be taken out of your carrying case for inspection. Have the mask and tubing ready in-case they’d like to see those too.

    X-ray machines and containers are not the cleanest things.  Make sure to bring a clear plastic bag with you to place that in as it goes through the x-ray machine.  TSA officials will check your CPAP machine as a part of their Explosive Trace Detection.  We all know that won’t be needed as evidence and once it clears, you’ll be good to go.

    Brevard Medical Equipment hopes these tips will help you get through the airport a little smoother.  If you’re traveling soon, make sure to contact us about traveling with your CPAP machine or other home medical equipment! Happy Travels!