How to Travel with Oxygen in Your Car

Oxygen Tanks Require Special Care When Traveling

Many hospice patients require the use of medical-grade oxygen tanks, which require special care when transporting in a car.

Follow these steps to ensure the safety of yourself and those near you:

1. To transport an oxygen cylinder, firmly secure it on the floor of the back seat.
2. The car must be well ventilated to prevent oxygen and heat from collecting inside; leave a window open at least an inch or two.
3. Never transport oxygen in the trunk of a car or bed of a truck. In a rear-end collision, an oxygen cylinder can explode, injuring people inside and even outside the vehicle.

Through our Home Medical Equipment (HME) teams, VITAS provides home medical equipment, including oxygen tanks, to our patients as part of the Medicare hospice benefit. Our dedicated team members also provide training and support on using the equipment.