GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Holly Lockwood carries around a bright yellow card with black lettering notifying people not to call an ambulance when she collapses to the ground. Instead, they’re instructed to bring hot water.

Hot water relaxes her throat and helps Lockwood to start breathing again.

After Lockwood gave birth to twins nine years ago, she experienced multiple blood clots in her lungs, which led to an accumulation of fluids in her lungs. She also learned she had an enlarged heart. The combination led to respiratory difficulties that require Lockwood to use oxygen when she exercises.

Lockwood also needs to carry oxygen with her when the barometric pressure changes, when there is atmospheric burning or when she travels to higher elevations.

Lockwood also has multiple chemical sensitivities — to things like laundry detergent, candles, perfume and other cosmetics — and if she’s exposed to them it hampers her ability to breathe.

“I have to wear full oxygen turned up with a mask,” Lockwood said. “I have to be prepared. Otherwise I get ‘brain fog,’” and that’s when she almost faints and can’t breathe.

In 2003, Lockwood began designing backpacks — much like Camelbak water packs — only instead of water, the backpacks contain oxygen tanks that allow people to more easily carry the heavy tanks on their backs instead of over the shoulder or along the side of the body. The backpacks, which are sold primarily over the Internet, are currently being redeveloped to accommodate larger people. She also designs fanny packs and purses.

Three years ago Lockwood launched “Everything Respiratory” — a national magazine for people with respiratory ailments.

Until recently Lockwood produced her magazine at the Business Incubator Center, where she paid affordable rent, attended a business class and learned how to prepare a business plan. Her bookkeeper learned bookkeeping skills there.

The Incubator, located at 2591 B 3/4 Road, provides assistance to new, expanding or fledgling businesses in Mesa County.

Lockwood now works out of her home along with managing editor Michael Davies and bookkeeper Karen Johnstone.

Lockwood travels around the country attending and speaking at Better Breathers Groups — for people with lung disease.

She finds advertising by attending trade shows. Along the way she meets other people with respiratory problems and publishes their stories.

Everything the quarterly magazine earns in advertising goes right back into the business, she said.

She started the magazine because there were no publications like it for her, she said.

“This is what I love,” Lockwood said. “The purpose (of the magazine) is to educate and help better other people’s lives with lung disease.”

The articles and stories are intended to uplift and inspire people to live life to the fullest and not give up, Lockwood said.

Lockwood also presents current product information in each issue.

The magazine also addresses other topics such as asthma, rare lung diseases, sleep apnea and allergies as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The fall 2008 magazine featured a story by Grace Anne Dorney Koppel — wife of journalist Ted Koppel — who is living and coping with lung disease.

Lockwood estimates “Everything Respiratory,” which is distributed nationally as well as in Australia and China, has a circulation of about 60,000.

Reach Sharon Sullivan at ssullivan@gjfreepress.com.