traveling with cpap

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
lava1016

traveling with cpap

Post by lava1016 » Mon Dec 22, 2014 1:23 pm

I have happily used a cpap for about 16 years. I'm on my third machine. I plan to travel extensively next year. This will involve handling my own luggage many days. I don't know how I will be able to deal with the weight of dragging my cpap from pillar to post. If placed within a suitcase, it restricts the amount of clothing you are able to pack and makes the case really heavy. I need suggestions for how to handle this. Help!

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TangledHose
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Re: traveling with cpap

Post by TangledHose » Mon Dec 22, 2014 1:38 pm

consider a travel sized cpap unit such as Transcend (they have straight cpap and an auto model) or some people really like their intellipap machines for travel.........

one good place to start looking is our host cpap.com.............they have a section specifically for travel sized machines.....

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-machines/trav ... achine.php

I have been using the Transcend Auto with great success on my motorcycle trips.........have to be very light and small to pack onto the motorcycle. I would advise to stay away from the HDM Z1..........not so happy with that machine.

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Julie
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Re: traveling with cpap

Post by Julie » Mon Dec 22, 2014 1:38 pm

You take it as a carry-on that is not calculated as carry-on weight or size... in other words, it's a separate allowed bag - but never, ever put it in your checked luggage which can get lost. Whether or not a specific airline will let you use it in flight is another story to be taken up with the airline, and depending on where you sit, it's possible there won't be an outlet to plug into... again, something to discuss with the airline.

Hose_Head
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Re: traveling with cpap

Post by Hose_Head » Mon Dec 22, 2014 10:25 pm

Julie wrote:You take it as a carry-on that is not calculated as carry-on weight or size... in other words, it's a separate allowed bag - but never, ever put it in your checked luggage which can get lost. Whether or not a specific airline will let you use it in flight is another story to be taken up with the airline, and depending on where you sit, it's possible there won't be an outlet to plug into... again, something to discuss with the airline.

The advice about always carrying-on your cpap when traveling by air is excellent. However, a caveat about Julie's advice: the rule about cpap not counted as a aircraft carry-on bag only applies within the USA. You should always check with your carrier (including all connecting carriers) before leaving home.

The OP indicated that he/she plans to travel but didn't say where, or how. Some more information on that front would be helpful to ensure accurate and complete advice.
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bill-e
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Re: traveling with cpap

Post by bill-e » Tue Dec 23, 2014 5:37 pm

I travel about 40 weeks a year. Mostly Monday to Friday and mostly in the US though I do perform a few foreign trips a year. I was traveling with a third bag, my System One but I absolutely hated doing that. Traveling all the time my backpack is quite heavy as it carries my life around and I always travel with a roll aboard bag so the third bag was a real hassle.

For the last year I've been traveling with my HDM Z1 and now Z1 Auto and I would never go back to a big machine. The HME's can get a bit expensive though I get about 14 days out of mine.

I put the Z1-A in my pack and the rest of the supplies in my carry-on. The only time I change that routine is if I need to check the luggage then I carry it all in my pack. Like I said I'll never go back to a big unit for travel.

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Sir NoddinOff
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Re: traveling with cpap

Post by Sir NoddinOff » Tue Dec 23, 2014 5:52 pm

I travel several times a year with my CPAP gear, a big ol' heavy PR ASV model with a FFM, kind of a PITA, but I'm convinced it's really worth it cuz when you lay down at night in a hotel room or strange bedroom it's total happiness to strap on your familiar gear and get a good nights sleep. You can keep your Provents and jaw advancement systems... I'll stick to what I know works.

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GoneFishin
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Re: traveling with cpap

Post by GoneFishin » Tue Dec 23, 2014 8:48 pm

lava1016 wrote:I have happily used a cpap for about 16 years. I'm on my third machine. I plan to travel extensively next year. This will involve handling my own luggage many days. I don't know how I will be able to deal with the weight of dragging my cpap from pillar to post. If placed within a suitcase, it restricts the amount of clothing you are able to pack and makes the case really heavy. I need suggestions for how to handle this. Help!
I would use a flight attendant style carryon with wheels. Don't forget to bring AC triple tap, adapters, and a power strip so you can plug in anywhere.

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billbolton
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Re: traveling with cpap

Post by billbolton » Tue Dec 23, 2014 10:34 pm

lava1016 wrote:I have happily used a cpap for about 16 years. I'm on my third machine. I plan to travel extensively next year. This will involve handling my own luggage many days. I don't know how I will be able to deal with the weight of dragging my cpap from pillar to post. If placed within a suitcase, it restricts the amount of clothing you are able to pack and makes the case really heavy. I need suggestions for how to handle this. Help!
If you have Resmed xPAP, just buy a roller style bag for your main suitcase and you can slip the xPAP bag over the extensible handle on the roller bag when you are going from "pillar to post" - the Resmed xPAP bags are specifically designed for that. You can take the xPAP bagoff when you check your luggage and hand carry it onto a plane/train/bus as hand luggage

It may work with other brands if their bags are similarly designed.

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