Humidifier use on airplane - any good ideas?

925 · Post by **925** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 2:01 pm

I have a GoodKnight H2O humidifier which works great at home. But I am traveling a lot of overnight flights (15 so far this year), and I haven't found a good, transportable way to humidify on flights. I go without, but then my nasal passages get sore and irritated.

Has anyone found a good way to humidify on an airplane? Power is a problem. And spilling water is a problem (I have the experiences to prove it!).

I've also wondered if there might be some moisturizing cream or mist or something.

Any ideas?

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 2:21 pm

Ayr makes a saline nasal gel with Aloe Vera which can be found in the Walmart Pharmacy aisle. If you dont have any pick up some nasal saline spray. If you wear contacts, you already have a saline bottle.

Good Luck,
GumbyCT

925 · Post by **925** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 2:43 pm

Wouldn't you know it... I am allergic to Aloe Vera!

skjansen · Post by **skjansen** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 3:06 pm

925:

Exactly which airline do you fly that allows you to use CPAP on board? Also, did you have to get special permission to use CPAP on board and how did you do it? Do you use a battery or AC machine on board?

Just wondering as I fly overseas occassionally and was told by Continental that I absolutely could not use my CPAP on board.

Look forward to your response!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 3:57 pm

I fly 300,000 miles a year. I regularly use my CPAP on American, Delta, British Airways, and Air Mauritius. I have been asked about it maybe 4 times, mostly by curious flight attendants. Once American had an agent meet me upon landing in Manchester England to ask me (investigate), but they took all my info (including make and model) and I never heard anything since.

I purposefully do NOT ask permission to use my CPAP machine. I believe that asking permission is like asking to be told "no". I just do it. The worst that they can do is stop me, which is the same thing that would happen if I asked and they said "no", but far less likely to happen. I have never seen any forms or requests to fill out at all to use on a plane. I don't think they exist.

After the Manchester incident I asked the gate agent in London coming home. He knew all about CPAP, and said he would alert the flight attendants. After that trip I reverted to my "don't ask" policy.

I have discussed it with a few seat mates, mostly just to make sure they don't snag a hose.

I have never adjusted my prescription (11.0) for (the standardized) pressurized cabins. Never noticed a need either.

I recommend sitting in a window seat if you are going to do it, so no one has to climb over you and your hoses and cables in the dark.

The Battery Geek battery pack works great on long flights, and is far better (in my opinion) than having a power cable running to airplane power a few feet away. I throw the battery and the CPAP all in a zipper bag, so all that comes out is a single 6 foot long hose and mask. Six feet seems like a good length to me. Another reason to use Battery Geek is that I don't have to worry about sitting in a seat near power, or figuring out which power adapter to bring with me.

American Airlines is regular cigarette lighter power plugs at all designated power seats. British can be EmPower or even 110VAC US style outlets, but not predictable in advance.

I always carry-on my CPAP, NEVER checking it in a suitcase. TSA security checks (and similar in other countries) have NEVER begun to say I couldn't take it with me. TSA will go more smoothly for you if you pull the machine out (without cables, hoses or glop) and put it in its own bin thru the machine. This method is short and sweet and never an issue, though they usually wipe it for explosives.

When I am flying, I use a different mask than I use in bed, since I am sitting up and I am seen by people and don't want to look like a total Martian. I use an Infinity Nasal Mask which is a tube that basically plugs into my nose, and has a transparent rubber tube tha goes around my head. It isn't quite as comfortable or secure as what I wear to bed, but is much more socially acceptable.

Hoffman Labs has a sack to where everything around your neck. I haven't tried it, and it doesn't look like it is for me.

I travel with an extension cord and worldwide power adapters to use in hotel rooms. There are never enough plugs, and sometimes 15-20 feet away. (In Nicaragua once, I had to use two 20 foot extension cords back-to-back to get to the nearest power outlet in the adjoining kithenette).

I haven't found a good way to use a humidifier on an airplane yet. A heated humidifier takes too much power. Your humidifier could get turned on its side, putting water in your humidity machine. And that brings us back to my original post (above).

Now, back to the airplane humidifier question (above)... any (more) ideas on how to get good humidity on an airplane?

skjansen · Post by **skjansen** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 4:03 pm

Thanks for the info 925!

roster · Post by **roster** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 5:58 pm

skjansen wrote:Thanks for the info 925!

Ditto 925. That is good info.

I am doubtful that there is a reasonable way to keep the nasal passages from drying if you use the cpap for two or more hours on a flight. But I will keep following this thread. Our members are very resouceful. .

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 7:06 pm

925:
Outstanding post on traveling with CPAP. Nicely written and very coherent.

And now for the OP -
Re: the Ayr gel - I am sure it is also available w/o Aloe Vera. Have you tried frequent use of nasal saline spray? If you haven't tried Ayr gel yet - you may find some relief there.
Good Luck,
GumbyCT

Bearded_One · Post by **Bearded_One** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 7:15 pm

How about a passover humidifier stuffed with cotton or Kleenex that is saturated with water.

A water tank from a F&P HC150 or the tank from a PB 420 series passover humidifier might work.