Travel and transportation
- Always have on hand a “travel kit” when leaving your home containing at least:
Emergency material:
- a replacement cannula the same size as the one in use
- a tracheal cannula one size smaller than the one in use
- one obturator the same size as the cannula in use and one smaller than the cannula in use
- a water soluble lubricant
- an inner cannula, if your child has a 2 piece cannula
- tracheal cannula ties (Velcro® band or cotton ribbons)
- scissors with rounded tips (if during an emergency, the ties or Velcro® band needs to be cut)
- suction catheters
- a fully charged portable suction device with connecting tubing and power cable
- an extra connecting tube in the event that the one previously used becomes too saturated with secretions
- a manual mouth suction catheter with mucus trap in the event that a suction device is not available
- a ventilatory bag with a tracheostomy adapter
- non sterile gloves (if you cannot wash your hands or if you have cuts)
Material required for daily care outside the home:
– tracheostomy compresses
– cotton tips
– saline solution if needed
– half and half water/hydrogen peroxide solution
– boiled cooled water
– scarf (in case of wind and cold weather to protect the tracheostomy)
– artificial nose
– humidity device for naps or sleeping overnight (for long term outings)
– respirator, if required
– extra batteries, if required (respirator, suction device)
– appropriate electric cables required
– oxygen cylinders, cylinder key, oxygen tubing, if required
– oxygen conserving device with extra batteries, if required
– second respiratory circuit, if required
– products required for the cleaning of medical equipment (depending on the duration of the outing or trip)
- Have a list on hand of the contents of this kit so it can be easily restocked. Confirm with your healthcare team how often you should verify supply and status, including expiry dates, of equipment, materials, medications and solution.
- Keep a resource list close at hand with the names and telephone numbers of hospital, doctors, other members of your child’s healthcare team and equipment providers. Make sure you know how to contact these resources outside of regular hours and during vacations.
- During the winter months, always heat up the car interior before placing your child in the vehicle.
Before leaving on a trip:
- make sure you have a document from the healthcare team describing your child’s condition and tracheostomy care needs and a complete list of medication,
- bring enough supplies to last for the duration of the trip and add a bit extra as a reserve,
- make sure to ask if equipment providers and other resources are available in the event of equipment failure or other healthcare needs,
- take the climate of your destination into consideration because the relative humidity of the ambient air could modify the quantity and the consistency of your child’s secretions.
For travel by airplane:
- contact the airline company to inquire about their policy concerning the transport of medical equipment,
- keep all medical equipment, supplies and medication with you in the cabin.