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Hitting the Road Safely

Summer is here, bringing with it thoughts of vacations and quick getaways. But for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), getting where they need or want to be – whether it’s for appointments, errands, a trip across country, or just getting out of the house for the day – can be stressful.

There are ways to safely get from here to there, including having a plan, checking the weather, avoiding secondhand smoke, and being prepared with any supplies he or she may need while on the road. Following are suggestions to make leaving home safer and less challenging from the COPD Caregiver’s Toolkit, published by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Have a Plan

Knowing what to do in advance makes leaving the house easier for everyone. Allow enough preparation time, and check with the person with COPD about their energy levels and level of ambition so you both have a clear understanding of the goals and ambition level for the outing. This will also help you both be mentally prepared for what needs to come next.

Check the Weather

Check the forecast and pay close attention to any predicted weather changes (e.g., intense humidity or cold) that might trigger a COPD flare-up. Pack the right weather protection and consider whether the car should be started in advance to get it warmed up or cooled down before getting in.

Avoid Secondhand Smoke

Not only is secondhand smoke an irritant, but it can change how the lungs and airways work. Thus, it’s important to avoid public smoking areas or anywhere that runs the risk of exposure.

Be Prepared

Ensure you have all necessary supplies, including any medications, oxygen supplies, etc., and make sure you have emergency phone numbers and contacts. If air travel is involved, contact the airline in advance to verify that the oxygen delivery device you plan to take is approved for use on the airplane.

If You’re Staying Behind

If someone else is taking the person with COPD to their appointment, establish a plan for them to use when making transportation arrangements. Make sure whoever is providing transportation understands any special needs and/or limitations. Many areas also offer senior or medical transportation services or check to see if any available public transportation is ADA-compliant.

Traveling with Oxygen

Preparation is particularly critical when traveling with oxygen. Answer these questions before leaving the house or during trip planning:

1. Do we have enough oxygen to travel with?
2. Do we have all the oxygen supplies we need?
3. Have we reviewed tank safety for traveling?
4. If flying, have we assessed what is needed for in-flight oxygen and oxygen at our destination?

NHLBI also shares the following outdoor safety checklist in its COPD Caregiver’s Toolkit:

• Sign up for air quality alerts from airnow.gov.
• Get outdoor allergen levels from your local news or weather websites.
• When outdoor air quality is poor or allergen levels are high, keep windows and doors closed and use air conditioning whenever possible.
• Avoid outdoor activities, especially during peak poor outdoor air quality hours from 1:00-4:00 pm.
• If you live in an area where wildfires are common, talk to your healthcare provider about ways to protect the person you care for against wildfire smoke.

More travel safety information can be found in NHLBI’s COPD Caregiver’s Toolkit, available here.