Traveling with my CPAP

[Passport in-hand]

My Model; Resmed S9 and Resmed AirCurve VAuto.

Q: Why I travel with my CPAP
A: (Key phrase: ‘recovery time’)
When I travel it’s usually for work or holiday vacation - one or the other. When I travel for work, I’m on limited time, usually a pending deadline of the sorts. My body is already in a state of stress when traveling for work - and it’s usually in a different time zone, in some cases multiple-time zones. I recognize and value that sleep and rest as it relates to my daily work performance. I generally work 10-15 hr days whilst traveling. The only way I can assure my daytime-performance is having quality night sleep. I already have a problem with Jet Lag, compounding my issues with inadequate sleep assures me several days of grogginess and elongated recovery time. Mind you, this gets worse the older I get. When on pleasure holiday, I do my best to mentally decompress and refresh my body as efficiently as I can. I do drink and eat more. However, my body is much more active and usually burn more calories than normal. The added activities plus the sudden change in diet temporarily, change in time-zone, sleeping on a different bed, etc. impairs my body - and one way of circumventing this is a good night sleep. And remember, the end of a holiday when re-entering back into normal life, understand the importance of recovery time. Also note, I’m speaking to you from a body of a 51 year old man.

I have had no problems traveling with my CPAP. For 3-years I’ve lugged it to several countries, multiple overnighters, planes, trains, busses, automobiles etc. It’s a bit inconvenient at first, but it has become as common as packing my tooth-brush; I cannot and have not traveled without it. First and foremost; use the travel bag than comes with you device and store it in you carry-on luggage. I store mine in a 22-inch carry-on roller luggage. Unfortunately it occupies 33% of my carry-on volume. I also carry a second carry-on, 30-liter backpack which holds my laptop and other stuff.

Airport Security: This suggestion maybe a bit long winded but, and should this occur, will help you circumvent additional questions and confusion - especially when you are in a foreign or third-world country.
Since packing my CPAP in my ‘carry-on’ bag I’ve not had any issues with airport security, although my friend’s husband was questioned about his device at Cambodia due to the suspicious nature of air hose and breathing mask - apparently this particular airport security guard has never seen or heard of this device. Keeping this in mind, while traveling to other countries, I keep a note within my bag stating the following;“This is a CPAP machine Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. It is a medical device I use for sleeping. It is used for the treatment of my SLEEP APNEA. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder, and I don’t breath well during sleep". Note: Keep the language simple as English translations to other languages often to don’t relate.

In addition to this note (in English), I translate the message (using Google translate) to whatever language country destination. Again, I’ve never had a problem with CPAP stored in my carry-on, nor had any issues in other country’s airport security. Having this note within the bag serves as insurance to curious security personnel. “Better to have it and not need it - rather than need it and not have it”. Yes, it’s a travel nuisance at first: depending on your sleep-rest priorities it becomes second nature. Also note; I have not used my CPAP whilst on a plane. I’ve had multiple travels 10+ hour flights on business class with the ability to use my CPAP - however I have not taken advantage of this opportunity. If and when I do, I will post my experience.

If and when the airport security does inspects your device or any expensive/delicate items - (this is very important as language, voice and facial inflections can offend some folks at any parts of the world) - be kind and respectful to the security agent and (with a humble and sincere tone-of-voice) remind them to be careful as it is a medical device.

CPAP power supply & traveling accessories.
Note my Resmed S9 has the ability to use 100w-240w 50-60Hz (as stated on the power transformer brick). It can be used globally without the need of a power converter/transformer brick. Please read your device specifications before traveling to other countries.

POWER ADAPTOR for specific country of destination. Note: the ‘power adaptor’ only allows the device to be plugged into the country’s wall outlet. Power adaptors are not POWER CONVERTERS. Please understand the difference before traveling and purchasing accessories to accommodate the destination. Power adaptors do not ‘step-up’ or ‘step-down’ the wattage. Again, read your device specifications. Folks from the US or Canada (and Japan) traveling abroad must consider this as most of the planet operates on 220w, 50-60Hz. Travelers coming to US, Canada and Japan also need to plan ahead. This is getting a bit technical and specific, but if your device doesn’t operate above 110w, then you can damage your expensive CPAP.

Need more information? Check out this site:
http://internationalconfig.com/product_groups.asp

Hotel Use and Hotel security:
I usually leave my CPAP device out on the bedside table when I’m gone for the day. I do fold and store the hose so it doesn’t obstruct the cleaning person. I’ve never heard nor had problems with someone stealing CPAP machines. CPAPs might not be lucrative as other stolen electrical devices (i.e. laptops, tablets, etc). But you never know! If you question the security of the hotel room or location, simply unplugged the device and store it in the drawer. If you are extremely concerned and for ease-of-mind, detach the humidifier from the CPAP and place the CPAP within the room’s lock-box. If your hotel room doesn’t come with a lock-box, then place it in your luggage, locked. Question yourself: Is this room safe enough to keep my device out in the open? Is this is a risk I’m willing to take? Also, if you use the humidifier during travel, I suggest use bottled water, as distilled water can be arduous to obtain, depending on your destination.

Other noteworthy Travel items (Understand and Adapt):
The inconveniences of traveling with your CPAP
Space and volume: bulky, it takes space - almost as big as a woman’s large purse
Requires other accessories: packing extra electrical device, cables, etc.

Other Packing accessories
a 6-inch grounded extension cord, used for tight and limited spaced outlets
power adaptor required for destination country - read my comments on power adaptor and power converters
*6-foot extension cord
*mini surge protector
*(1) items can be handy for airport terminals with limited power banks (2) I use this for my other electrical devices as well

I hope this information finds you well! And I wished someone had told me this 3-years ago, it may have saved me some frustrating moments.

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” -Mark Twain

MY DISCLAIMER: I am not a healthcare professional; I am not associated or paid by in any way by Resmed or any devices and/or any name brand accessories which I may share within this forum; I am not associated with my CPAP supplier nor other suppliers that sell, market or distribute CPAP devices and associated accessories. My shared information has not been scientifically processed nor analyzed to meet a specific or general demographic fields in which may impact the readers self-diagnostic actions towards actions which may cause harm by said reader. As always, consult with you physician and/or CPAP provider for ‘anything’ which may compromise your health and your CPAP device. No CPAP devices or accessories were given to me ‘free-of-charge’. My CPAP and associated accessories were purchased by me via healthcare insurance.

[HoseCrusher]

This seems worth a bump...

[Kiralynx]

A nice guide to international traveling.