Traveling with CPAP

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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lynn
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Joined: Fri Feb 04, 2005 1:22 pm
Location: central Washington state

Traveling with CPAP

Post by lynn » Mon Feb 14, 2005 10:56 pm

Have been on CPAP (AHI 46) for less than a week. Have a fantastic doc and RT. Have maintained a really positive attitude and am feeling better already! Yesterday, however, my mind wandered to the subject of a possible trip in 2006 to Siberia, and it hit me like a ton of bricks that I would have this CPAP millstone around my neck, dragging this machine around to remote corners of the world, worrying about power supply etc. etc. etc., so maybe I can't go, etc. etc. I have a Remstar Pro2 CFlex with Humidification (it's big and it's heavy but I do love it). I have read here some of you travel a lot. I will check with our RT to see if there's a machine that's more compact for travel that I could possibly rent for such a trip. Good that I have many months to figure this out. Any ideas?

lynn, who's trying not to sound too whiny about this....

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Dave Hargett
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Post by Dave Hargett » Mon Feb 14, 2005 11:26 pm

Most modern machines can auto switch to use the current overseas, but the plugs in many countries are different than what we use here, so you need to buy adapters so that you can plug in your machine.

I'm told Radio Shack has them or you can also find them (and a good chart to help you know what you need) at http://www.magellans.com, which sells travel accessories.

The key may be whether or not you have electrical power everywhere you plan to stay. One of these years, for example, I would love to take a photo safari to Africa, but I would have to take a package that kept me in a decent hotel or lodge and might not be able to stay at a really remote campsite -- my snoring would drive away all the animals, anyway!

chrisp
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Post by chrisp » Tue Feb 15, 2005 11:28 am

Buy yourself a PB420E for $540 or a cheapo PB420S for $299. They are small and travel well and ithe 420E is auto.. You'll have more room for those warm clothes . Just buy a bag of converter plugs from Wal Mart or radio shack.

Autopaps Rule

Have a nice trip.

Chris
Last edited by chrisp on Tue Feb 15, 2005 9:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.

SleepyTimeGal
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Traveling with Cpap

Post by SleepyTimeGal » Tue Feb 15, 2005 9:11 pm

I too suggest the 420G with the new H20 Humidifier. The machine and humidifier are very small and travel friendly. Both the machine and humidifier plug into the wall, so again, take the wall adapters you would use with any electrical appliance.

This is also a great back up machine. Cpaps will go on the fritz at the least convenient time. As with any piece of medical equipment you use on a daily basis like glasses or hearing aids or medications, having a back up cpap is not a bad idea.

SleepyTimeGal

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lynn
Posts: 102
Joined: Fri Feb 04, 2005 1:22 pm
Location: central Washington state

Post by lynn » Wed Feb 16, 2005 2:09 pm

Wow, thanks you guys!! I will definitely look into this. We (both of us on CPAP) are already considering another set of machines anyway as we are four nights in Seattle on the boat, three nights north of Ellensburg at the place over here on a weekly basis. Then we wouldn't have to drag them back and forth all the time. Of course, leaving two at each location still doesn't cover the backup plan.... aaacck!

lynn

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snoozin'
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Post by snoozin' » Wed Feb 16, 2005 2:35 pm

Well, you don't have to buy all the machines at once And you'd only need one extra at each place, because it's unlikely both would break the same night.
If you want an autopap for traveling, get the 420E. It weighs little more than a pound and will fit in a large handbag. Of course, if you have extras like the humidifier, it will take a little more room, but the machine is great and works on differnt currants, so all you need is the plug adapter. If you don't need an autopap, the 420G or 420S are the same size and will work on 110, 220, or car batteries!
Debbie

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lynn
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Location: central Washington state

Post by lynn » Wed Feb 16, 2005 7:14 pm

Sounds great - thanks all of you!

One question: the PB420's deliver one level of pressure for both inhale and exhale. Now that we are used to C-flex (less pressure on exhale) will this be a difficult transition?

lynn

p.s. Dave, hope you can do that safari to Africa! My aunt and uncle did it (no hotels -- remote). They were in their eighties - but no CPAP.

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Waverly

Post by Waverly » Wed Feb 16, 2005 7:21 pm

Buy the 420E auto. Spend a few nights at home to become used to it or just turn off the c-flex on your Respironics unit for a few nights before the big trip..

Bon Voyage

Waverly