A better travel case for CPAP machines?

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calusa

A better travel case for CPAP machines?

Post by calusa » Mon Oct 20, 2014 4:16 pm

Do any companies sell better carrying cases for CPAP machines?

The obvious advantage of using the case that comes with the machine is that TSA and airline personnel know what's inside. Not once have I been questioned or hassled in the slightest -- they must see hundreds every day!

Yet -- the case that came with my PR Series 60 is really inadequate; there is ZERO padding for the machine. Moving through airports and boarding airplanes is hard enough without having to worry about bumping or dropping the CPAP case and damaging the machine.

The strap doesn't adjust enough for me to attach it to my roller suitcase, so I carry it on one shoulder, with my briefcase on the other. Works fine, usually, at least until it starts slipping, or someone bumps into me in a crowd.

I'd actually be happy with a smaller but well-padded case. The heavy power supply and hoses fit fine in my carry-on and they're not very fragile. But the machine itself doesn't seem up to the inevitable abuse that comes with regular air travel.

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Re: A better travel case for CPAP machines?

Post by englandsf » Mon Oct 20, 2014 4:25 pm

Resmed S9 case is just fine and has a handle strap and goog pockets.

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Re: A better travel case for CPAP machines?

Post by palerider » Mon Oct 20, 2014 4:39 pm

calusa wrote:Do any companies sell better carrying cases for CPAP machines?
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... fcase.html

next time, buy a resmed, they *come* with a nice padded travel case, with a luggage loop on the back.

people buy the PR cuz it's cheaper, but after you add the extra heated hose kit (standard on resmed) and travel case (standard on resmed) it's less cheaper

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Re: A better travel case for CPAP machines?

Post by sleep_quest » Mon Oct 20, 2014 4:50 pm

PR System One machines used to come with a padded carrying case and have recently changed to a non-padded bag. I'm assuming you have the latter like I do. When I was looking for a padded bag I found a Respironics one on Amazon:

http://smile.amazon.com/Respironics-Sys ... e+cpap+bag

It looks like the kind the older machines used to come with but it's $42.50 which is a little pricey considering it used to come standard.

However, since you are actually looking for a smaller bag I found a number of camera bags that might work (they even have backpacks). Perhaps you should broaden your search criteria and you might find just what you are looking for. Slap one of those medical equipment cards on the outside of your bag and you'll be good to go.

Good luck,
d

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Re: A better travel case for CPAP machines?

Post by chunkyfrog » Mon Oct 20, 2014 5:00 pm

Instrument cases are probably the extreme solution, but if you can afford it, cool.

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Re: A better travel case for CPAP machines?

Post by palerider » Mon Oct 20, 2014 5:04 pm

sleep_quest wrote:PR System One machines used to come with a padded carrying case and have recently changed to a non-padded bag. I'm assuming you have the latter like I do. When I was looking for a padded bag I found a Respironics one on Amazon:

http://smile.amazon.com/Respironics-Sys ... e+cpap+bag

It looks like the kind the older machines used to come with but it's $42.50 which is a little pricey considering it used to come standard.
that looks like the cheezy unpadded one that they come with now. the 1 star comment seems to agree, no padding.

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Last edited by palerider on Mon Oct 20, 2014 6:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: A better travel case for CPAP machines?

Post by Wulfman... » Mon Oct 20, 2014 5:30 pm

calusa wrote:Do any companies sell better carrying cases for CPAP machines?

The obvious advantage of using the case that comes with the machine is that TSA and airline personnel know what's inside. Not once have I been questioned or hassled in the slightest -- they must see hundreds every day!

Yet -- the case that came with my PR Series 60 is really inadequate; there is ZERO padding for the machine. Moving through airports and boarding airplanes is hard enough without having to worry about bumping or dropping the CPAP case and damaging the machine.

The strap doesn't adjust enough for me to attach it to my roller suitcase, so I carry it on one shoulder, with my briefcase on the other. Works fine, usually, at least until it starts slipping, or someone bumps into me in a crowd.

I'd actually be happy with a smaller but well-padded case. The heavy power supply and hoses fit fine in my carry-on and they're not very fragile. But the machine itself doesn't seem up to the inevitable abuse that comes with regular air travel.
Don't "check" it in with your regular baggage. It's supposed to travel as "carry on". SO......be careful with it.

On the other hand, there have been some discussions years ago about someone developing some custom travel containers for them. I did a forum search and found some of the old threads, but most of the links don't work anymore.
Do a Google search on "custom travel cases" and you'll see lots of places that make them.


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Re: A better travel case for CPAP machines?

Post by Guest » Mon Oct 20, 2014 5:33 pm

calusa wrote: The obvious advantage of using the case that comes with the machine is that TSA and airline personnel know what's inside.
It's not required to use a "cpap case" or a medical equipment tag but you should have a tag with your name, address, and cell number outside and inside the case/bag or whatever.
calusa wrote:The strap doesn't adjust enough for me to attach it to my roller suitcase, so I carry it on one shoulder,
Use a bungee cord
calusa wrote:I'd actually be happy with a smaller but well-padded case.
I like to have mine on wheels rather than the padding but if it is padding you want "Pelican" makes case padded to military specs. Cost more than I am willing to spend but you can remove the padding to make anything a snug fit inside the case.

Search for "Pelican Case" or "Pelican 1510-000-110 Carry On Case with Pick 'N' Puck Foam (Black)".

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Re: A better travel case for CPAP machines?

Post by uvabigm » Mon Oct 20, 2014 6:51 pm

I got this: https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... fcase.html. A little pricey but fits perfectly and worth it for a good night's sleep.

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Re: A better travel case for CPAP machines?

Post by SleepyEyes21 » Mon Oct 20, 2014 7:09 pm

calusa wrote:Do any companies sell better carrying cases for CPAP machines?

The obvious advantage of using the case that comes with the machine is that TSA and airline personnel know what's inside. Not once have I been questioned or hassled in the slightest -- they must see hundreds every day!

Yet -- the case that came with my PR Series 60 is really inadequate; there is ZERO padding for the machine. Moving through airports and boarding airplanes is hard enough without having to worry about bumping or dropping the CPAP case and damaging the machine.

The strap doesn't adjust enough for me to attach it to my roller suitcase, so I carry it on one shoulder, with my briefcase on the other. Works fine, usually, at least until it starts slipping, or someone bumps into me in a crowd.

I'd actually be happy with a smaller but well-padded case. The heavy power supply and hoses fit fine in my carry-on and they're not very fragile. But the machine itself doesn't seem up to the inevitable abuse that comes with regular air travel.
Hi calusa - I have a PR S1 also, and I thought much the same about the case being too flimsy for travel. I would suggest trying to wrap your machine in bubble wrap (fairly inexpensive at Walmart, etc.) and then placing in either the original or a smaller case.

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Re: A better travel case for CPAP machines?

Post by Davidwnc » Mon Oct 20, 2014 10:54 pm

I use the Briggs & Riley 221 Baseline as my carry on. It's great as it has easy access from the top (so if I want to use my machine in flight, I can.) There is plenty of room for my other 'junk'; and if I want to, it is small enough to fit under the seat in front of me.
http://www.briggs-riley.com/category/pr ... Duffle_221

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Re: A better travel case for CPAP machines?

Post by zoocrewphoto » Tue Oct 21, 2014 12:47 am

Since you mentioned that you can fit the cords in your regular carry-on, use the leftover space to put in your own padding. Some laptop bags have a padded liner, or maybe even a soft cooler the right size could fit into the bag and hold the machine. I have a Resmed, so I am not familiar with your bag. But it sounds like there is enough room to add padding.

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Re: A better travel case for CPAP machines?

Post by chunkyfrog » Tue Oct 21, 2014 6:23 am

There is some buzz about using one of the new diaper bags as a travel bag.
Many don't look at all "diaper-ish", and have lots of pockets.
You can use the included changing pad as extra padding for the cpap.

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Re: A better travel case for CPAP machines?

Post by Denial Dave » Tue Oct 21, 2014 8:02 am

The Resmed bag has worked great for traveling over the past 2 years for me.

I also have several of the mesh/ cloth bags (Resmed & Respironics) that used to come with every mask. They work great for storing power cords, extension cords, spare supplies inside of the case.


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Re: A better travel case for CPAP machines?

Post by dadbar1 » Tue Oct 21, 2014 11:47 am

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1 ... black.html

This is what I often use when I travel overnight. This is a configurable, padded backpack. I can put in my cpap, laptop, and a change of clothes
PR System One Auto A-flex
ResMed Mirage Ultra Mask
Sleepmapper for Android
No humidifier (I take my air shaken, not stirred)