Hey all,

I was wondering if anyone knows if it would still be possible to bike while on Oxygen? 

Im only wondering due to my last admission in to hospital where my lung function dropped down to almost transplant level. Although my oxygen levels was ok most the time, when it drops that low o2 levels can be compromised and thus can need oxygen. 

I wouldn't want to have to give up biking just because I may have to have oxygen. Iv also been thinking about this because of my late wife had to have o2 24/7 in the last 2 months of her life. 

I should add in also that im not on oxygen yet and may not for some time, it was more of interest I was curious.

Thanks :)                                                                                                                                                                             

  The best people to ask are the professionals. Try NHS Direct on 0845 4647 they should be able to help or at least point you in the right direction for an answer.                                                                                                                                                                              

Strange thing but think you may not be able to as you would be carrying pressurised container with over 5lts it would be a hazardos load and you would need hazardos plates and stickers same as ambulances have                                                                                                                                                                              

Hmmm, awkward one this...   I take it you are thinking about a typical 400 litre (I think that's the capacity) "Freedom 400" O2 tank.   JP is correct, you need stickering up, even if you're not breathing the oxygen.  Emergency services need to know you've got a compressed gas bottle, and what is in it.   I used to spanner for my brother when drag racing, he has CF, and had a need for Oxygen on a regular basis.  We never fitted the O2 to the bike, but had a ready supply in the van (next to the Nitrous!), and he always managed with a couple of minutes on high-ish (6l/min) flow to recover between rounds.   I would be very concerned about having an open flow of O2 in the event of a crash, so would advise against it, instead carry the smallest amount you can safely get away with needing, and use it on regular stops, rather than constantly!   Hope that helps...                                                                                                                                                                             

i know some people who could be considered hazardous loads, do they need stickers too?  :-) Hope you can still ride bikes mate, and i can guarentee that everyone here will do their best to help and advise you. Take care and ride safe                                                                                                                                                                             

I know a few of them to
wide load markers and flashing Amber lights some could do with police escort                                                                                                                                                                              

I think most advice here is correct about carrying a full tank of o2   I'd ask a traffic officer about the law and carrying compressed gasses he'll know chapter and verse! But if he is unsure he'd find it out! (make it a mission to ask a bike cop rather than a car cop) as he would be more sympathetic to you as a biker 1st but would still point out any down falls you may encounter.   Fitting a cyclinder within the bike so it's not exposed to an impact would be difficult you'd need to protect the very vunerable area of the demand valve, plus some kind of cut off valve/switch to prevent any chance of an o2 leak assisting the combustion of you or anything else!   Good luck and hope you get the positve answer you seek                                                                                                                                                                              

Paramedics on bikes carry oxygen, so they have a means of carrying it legally/safely. Using it while travelling is probably going to be a different story though.                                                                                                                                                                             

Actually, i carry scuba diving tanks in my car - what's the score there?  3,480 litres of compressed air each!                                                                                                                                                                             

As thay are your own property it changes the law yes I know its bloody stupid but thats how it works. Think you should carry stickers on your car though, and as its only compressed air its less of a hazard i.e not a fire excelarent so not under the same haz group. P/S matt if you see your car on fire with them in it run very very fast                                                                                                                                                                              

Don't think your insurance company would be pleased about it either                                                                                                                                                                             

I would approach both the plod and local ambulance service who have in most area's a motorcycle paramedic...... however stickers will be mandatory and I wouldn't like the insurance bill for carrying that..... then again check the small print of the policy..you will already have to declare the medical problems and if the small print doesn't asay you can't carry it then you can argue that they knew you had it as you declared it in the medical part...   I have seen bikers with an oxygen tank before... it was fitted in a foam insert ina top box with the air leeds coming through a rubber seal like the i-pod lead holes you get in waterproof jackets etc   If you are going on a trip say a rally etc you notify the local health authority and they will supply top ups/ new tanks...if I recall my conversation with the guy correctly...   hope this helps                                                                                                                                                                             

Cheers all :) Like i say at the moment im not in need of o2 at all but after this admission i just had in to hospital it just got me thinking as I couldn't even walk a few metes without having to stop to catch my breath. 

I was also thinking that i could use liquid o2 bottle as they are smaller and last a lot longer ( i think about 6-8 hours before refill). 

Mr_P, I also have CF, hence the hospital admission. How did you brother cope with it all? Just out of interest. I take it he doesn't ride bikes then. 

Johnnytb, the top box sounds like a good idea, i was planning on having a top box on my next bike anyway. I'll have a talk to the police (as said preferable a biker cop) and the ambulance service. 

Until that point comes though, im going to just enjoy riding out :) 

Adz                                                                                                                                                                              

Hi Adam as a lot on here have said check out with the police ... One person on here who could help I think would be pagan prince ... Phil our friendly ambulance man :-)

Ians brother did just fine when racing, as Ian said few mins on high between rounds and he was fine, tho he has not been well enough (having been admited long stay 2 years ago) to race he does hold the hope that after transplant he will be able to race again.

If you watch Sons of Anarchy - one of the guys in that carries an oxygen bottle – admittedly he rides a trike but, as someone else has pointed out, paramedics on bikes can carry bottles. If you need to advertise the fact that a bottle is being carried, surely a quick paint job on your helmet and/or tank might cover this requirement. It could be made to look quite trendy! I wouldn’t worry too much about the nanny state bit, I’d just strap the thing on and go. Whatever, whatever; good luck and enjoy.                                                                                                                                                                             

Bit more serious than nanny state and you have to have the correct marking on if your carrrying compressed gasses of any type if its over 5lts capacity all to do with hazados cargo regs and the fire service dont like being blown across the road if there is a fire