Forum Discussion

matemike's avatar
matemike
Explorer
Aug 31, 2014

RV Full Time with COPD

I have severe COPD and sleep with oxygen. I don't use tanks, instead I use a concentrator. My wife and I are considering going full time rving. Does anyone else have this condition and are full time rv?
  • I have three COPD machines, and all are 12 volt powered by a 120 volt transformer, much like laptop computers. I made a 12 volt power cord to bypass my inverter/converter in the event we ran down the batteries and I wanted to save what power I had left to run the COPD machine. I don't use oxygen or the humidifier, so my power needs are probably much less than most users. I also have four house batteries and two engine batteries, so we have a lot of capacity.
  • My Father had COPD and never let it slow him down.....Go For It....
  • I am sure if they make a Bi-Pap Machine that runs on 12v. You can find a concentrator 12 volt. I have a Bi-Pap Machine that runs off 12v so you should do well, Good Luck. Talk to your doctor, about it. I am sure he can help you.
  • Is your concentrator 12 volt? If so it will be fine if you have charged batteries and perhaps a generator to use for charging the batteries and supplying power when not hooked up to power and in case of line power interruptions. As you know the air quality in different areas are varied, so perhaps medications will be required for any allergies you might have. Also inside RV's the air needs to be drawn in as cooking inside uses up the free Oxygen and can create unwanted concentrations of fumes from cooking, hair sprays and toilet, both natural and chemical if you use certain sanitizers. Leaving windows open a crack and roof vents open can help, except if you neighbor starts a fire or is cooking outside. A charcoal filtered air cleaner will overcome some noxious airs as will other devises your doctor or pharmacist might suggest. Most people find out ahead of time where medical help is in the traveled areas so if immediate help is needed you just call. Remember just calling 911 does not get you help from an out of town cell phone area code and or a different location in the same area code, so get the long number and store it for quick dial. I'm from the Albany area living there for 50 years and now in Florida and although I don't have COPD, I do know different areas have surprises for air quality, as does the travel air just from vehicles. I bet you know to breath through your full lungs by letting your stomach go out with every air breathed in, as it expands your lower lungs to get all surfaces full. Health and peace be with you!
  • I have COPD, but we are 3/4 time. I have an oxygen machine also, but I leave it at home and just use my CPAP machine, my copd is not severe enough to warrant an oxygen machine full time. My dad has a machine with a really long cord so he can go anywhere upstairs with it. Do you have a portable machine? My dad has one of those also for when he is out of the house. It is compact and very handy it sits on the floor when he is in the RAV4.
  • Haven't full timed and don't have copd but have been a medic for a long time. I'd say buy a couple tanks for emergency use and look at the possibility of an inverter solely for your concentrator coming straight off house batteries. Buy meds in bulk and talk to your doc about locations that are good and bad and best way to obtain any medical treatment where you are away. Thinking dry western states? Probably be great for breathing easy.