Portablity and Power Outage!

Yes, you read the subject correctly! CPAP portability can coexist with CPAP power outage plans when you, the patient, correctly prepare using the proper equipment. If you have embarked upon this journey in continuous positive airway therapy, then there is something others patients of the therapy will likely tell you; they do not want to go a single night apart from their CPAP machine. That is how important the device can mean to you. However, mother nature and the surrounding world do not feel quite the same as you or I when it comes to this importance. So, in this short I hope to offer you some guidelines into traveling with your CPAP machine and also show you how this can also help in the event of power outage.


So let's start with the obvious question, how do you travel with your new bedtime buddy? And before we start to discuss, do me a favor and release your fear of a burden. Bringing your CPAP along on a business venture or vacation can be as simple as bringing your underwear. Undergarments are a necessity for most, at least we hope, and this mindset should be no different for your positive pressure machine. So drop the idea that this is going to be burden of some sort and expound that the machine is a necessary burden for not only your health, but the satisfaction of your vacation or the efficiency of your business trip.
On most traveling occasions in today's world we drive less. We mainly use flight as a simple and quick means of travel. Allowing strangers to take our luggage and freight it from one destination to another eventually meetings us in the baggage terminal. This is a dangerous proposition for your CPAP machine as now you are no longer in control of it's safety. Remember that nearly all insurance policies have some sort of date span stating that they will only purchase a new CPAP machine for a patient over some sort date span. In easier understanding, once your machine is purchased through your insurance you typically have five years until you are eligible for a new unit (some policies are sooner and some are longer). If you are worried about this then call your insurance and make an inquiry. This can be a problem as in the clause of nearly all policies that the insurance will not replace a machine earlier than their specified date span due to a CPAP machine being lost, broken or stolen. They view this as an error upon the policy holder which they are not liable for.
Did that just send a tiny bit of anger through you? Don't let it. It isn't worth it. I will certainly tell you what is worth it, showing caution when traveling. Keep your machine close to your side in safe view assuring safety from harm. Your CPAP device is approved by the FAA for flight. Now, there is no lie to be told, that comes with an arduous security search to assure that your CPAP is in fact a CPAP, but after the search you will be cleared. Remember, your CPAP is at least $1,000.00 US dollars - so treat it as such! Take it on the plane with you and put it under the seat in front of you on the flight. It will not count against your carry-on bag as it is considered a medical device.
Then upon arrival depending on where you are another situation can arise which can become complicated. When you get to your destination using the machine is the same as in your home, save for electrical power to the machine. Electricity can be a tricky matter especially if traveling to a different country. This problem is mainly posed for patient's that are using machines prior to the power converter updates within the new units. I will speak for two companies of which I am comfortable with saying; the Phillips Respironics System One or Dreamstation and the Resmed S9 or Airsense series both come with a power converting box that will assure the correct amp flow protecting from surge and low volt issues. If you're unsure of the capabilities of your unit consult the manufacturer or your technician.
So, would-you-look-at-that! Look at how simple we made traveling through air, but I have neglected the idea of traveling on ground. It is easier to drive with your CPAP therapy as the main virtue is to keep it with you and safe from harm during your travels. You machine will have the same electrical capabilities depending on the model of your unit. However, there is one form of travel that poses the greatest threat to your CPAP therapy success - camping. After all, what are you to do when out in the wonderful wilderness with no power and completely off the grid?
To be clear on the matter most CPAP units are designed now for travel in RV and other forms of camping not allowing a low volt situation to cause harm to the machines flow generation. Most physicians, respiratory therapist and technicians always suggest for a patient to include the CPAP in their lives completely - this means recreation as well. They do make CPAP machines that are lightweight for travel that are easier to accommodate; however it can be difficult depending on financial burden and the stage of where you are located in your therapy to transfer between 2 different machines. So, I wouldn't recommend unless absolutely comfortable with the fact that your portable machine may be a complete waste of money. If you're not interested in the risk, then there is an alternative. CPAP manufacturers do make a battery back up for your unit which will allow for 10-12 hours of continual use. Oh, what a dream! Here's the catch, for one of these sleeping beauty makers for campers you will shell-out over $1,000.00 US Dollars! Yes, the price of another CPAP machine.
The alternative is a surge protector with battery back-up. This simple adjustment can give 8-10 hours of continuous use of the CPAP machine with a re-charge during the day running you between $100.00-$150.00 US Dollars. There are a few specifics you need to assure yourself of before buying. This is not something that you want to buy the cheapest product; buy a battery back-up with an optimal amount of strength. For most of these back-ups 450VA and greater is your best option. They should put forth enough amp hour to assure the amount of amps your machine needs to run will be satisfactory. Most CPAP machine's pull between two and four amps pending your pressure setting and type of humidification system. A battery back-up with 450VA will supply between 3 and 4 amps hours between 8-10 hours. Just what you need for a good sleep in the wilderness! Simply re-charge during the day off of your vehicle or available plug at the lodge close to your camp site!


I want you to understand one thing! If you buy a battery back-up for all other times you are traveling place it in your room by your nightstand. You can leave this plugged into your wall continually as it will not harm the batteries within! Now, you have a good 8-10 hour charge to assure that if you lose electricity to your home you will be able to continue your night without interruption until your flickering electricity comes back. This would help with efficiency especially for new patients of the therapy. Assuring no interruption to make an acclimation to therapy any worse. It also improves the efficiency of seasoned patients assuring your comfort night to night.

There's some good info here but some real nonsense. I'll look at a few points:

thecpapguy! wrote:... CPAP manufacturers do make a battery back up for your unit which will allow for 10-12 hours of continual use. Oh, what a dream! Here's the catch, for one of these sleeping beauty makers for campers you will shell-out over $1,000.00 US Dollars! Yes, the price of another CPAP machine.

Its true that you might be able to find a battery that expensive, but there are many in the $200 to $650 range, even from the manufacturers.

thecpapguy! wrote: The alternative is a surge protector with battery back-up. This simple adjustment can give 8-10 hours of continuous use of the CPAP machine with a re-charge during the day running you between $100.00-$150.00 US Dollars. There are a few specifics you need to assure yourself of before buying. This is not something that you want to buy the cheapest product; buy a battery back-up with an optimal amount of strength. For most of these back-ups 450VA and greater is your best option. They should put forth enough amp hour to assure the amount of amps your machine needs to run will be satisfactory. Most CPAP machine's pull between two and four amps pending your pressure setting and type of humidification system. A battery back-up with 450VA will supply between 3 and 4 amps hours between 8-10 hours. Just what you need for a good sleep in the wilderness! Simply re-charge during the day off of your vehicle or available plug at the lodge close to your camp site!

The claim "Most CPAP machine's pull between two and four amps" is confusing - If he means that literally, then 2 to 4 amps for 8 hours is 16 to 32 Amp hours, much more than a household UPS can deliver. (The APC 550VA supplies have a 7 amp-hour battery.) If he really meant 2-4 amp-hours, then that's rather low. My PSR1 560 draw 4 amp-hours a night at a modest pressure of 9 with no humidity or heated hose, ResMed machines tend to draw a bit more. A small UPS might work for one night but it won't handle humidity and they tend to be rather heavy for the battery power they have. (I have nothing against the device - I have one powering my router and fileserver.) Another point - recharging a small battery takes more time. You'd have to run the car for an hour, maybe two to recharge; with a larger battery it might only take 20 minutes.

thecpapguy! wrote:I want you to understand one thing! If you buy a battery back-up for all other times you are traveling place it in your room by your nightstand.. You can leave this plugged into your wall continually as it will not harm the batteries within! Now, you have a good 8-10 hour charge to assure that if you lose electricity to your home you will be able to continue your night without interruption until your flickering electricity comes back. This would help with efficiency especially for new patients of the therapy. Assuring no interruption to make an acclimation to therapy any worse. It also improves the efficiency of seasoned patients assuring your comfort night to night.

This is all true except that a small battery will not power humidity for a whole night. My "comfort setting" setup draws over 20 amp-hours, for some users that will be as high as 30. The small travel battery packs and a small UPS are 8 amp-hours or less, so they may cover a few hours, but no more. If you want all night coverage, you need a large battery, something like a 70 amp-hour agm mentioned in a recent thread.

I'm waiting for a sales pitch....

Here is Portable power from cpap.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnbrYyv ... lz2KQnq5-t