Oxygen

Robert Szego

Robert Szego

New member
I am planning a true cross-country flight in June: from NY to CA, and wondering if anyone uses the throw-away boost Oxygen cans. Reviews are terrible. Plan is to sniff occasionally when forced to 10,000' plus crossing high mountain ranges. Real oxygen systems are way too expensive and heavy for the occasional toke; home elevations are sea level to about 2,000', so don't need it after the trip.
 
Hi Robert, Yes those inhaler/sniffer bottles are worthless. I'm about to bite the O2 bullet for traversing the Colorado mtns. Looking at the Aerox C or D bottle size, 2 place. Personally, at my age, I would rather spend $500 on O's then gee whiz ipad stuff that's nice but not necessary. Have you looked at the emergency/personal sizes?
 
For years I’ve used a small medical type of O2 bottle and nasal cannula. I used to take aerial photography and I’d spend hours at 10K flying lines. I’d feel so much better at the end of a long day if I’d had O2 during the flight. Fatigue and that evening headache were eliminated. I’m a believer.
I’ll point out that I was not flying at altitudes that required the availability or use of O2 but just doing it for my personal comfort.
I used the same O2 bottles that you see folks carrying in their little backpacks when shopping in the grocery store. The regulators I had were demand supply with a simple nasal cannula that went over the ears and about a quarter inch into each nostril. I had a Bose headset and it was not uncomfortable. By “demand supply” ( I don’t know if that’s the correct term) I mean that the regulator would sense the pressure drop as you inhaled and release a burst of O2. By operating in that manner it was quite efficient, much more than a continuous flow regulator and I’d get many hours out of a small bottle.
These are not uncommon systems and most medical supply businesses carry this stuff— however you might need a note (prescription?) from you doctor just to satisfy the supplier. You might even be able to rent the system. And some national chains might even let you trade empty for full bottles, just like welding tanks. The internet has a bunch of sites that advertise and sell adaptors to fill the little medical bottles yourself — I’ve never tried it though.
I’m told that “aviation” O2 has had the moisture removed so condensation in the delivery system is reduced which protects the supply lines from freezing. Using medical O2 (with moisture) shouldn’t be something you’d usually worry about at our Citabria altitudes in the lower 48 in the summer but consider it if any part of the system is exposed to freezing temps.
The other thing I’d recommend is a pulse oximeter. They’re cheap now and tell you that you need O2 when your brain is telling you everything is great.
 
Robert, I’d be happy to loan you one of my regulators and a cannula for your trip, if it’s still on — C-19 and all. It would be easy to package and send. I don’t think I could send a full bottle of O2 though. You’d have to figure out how to get that yourself. Ping me offline if you’re interested.
 
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