Why won’t my CPAP work on airplanes?

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Tom3548
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Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2018 7:30 am

Why won’t my CPAP work on airplanes?

Post by Tom3548 » Tue Apr 24, 2018 7:49 am

I just spent three months in Asia using my Transcend brand travel CPAP every night, frequently with just a Somnetics battery. However whenever I tried to use it on a plane with the battery, it would start up and then turn off after about ten seconds.
After having this happen about twenty straight times, I gave up.
Does any one have an explanation for why my CPAP won’t work on a plane, or better yet, has anyone successfully used one on a plane, and if so, what brand of CPAP and battery did you use?
Thanks

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ChicagoGranny
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Location: USA

Re: Why won’t my CPAP work on airplanes?

Post by ChicagoGranny » Tue Apr 24, 2018 8:21 am

Tom3548 wrote:
Tue Apr 24, 2018 7:49 am
After having this happen about twenty straight times, I gave up.
Would it work with the battery when you got to your hotel?

These machines and batteries are marketed for use in flight. I would contact the manufacturer - http://mytranscend.com/support/travel-tips/

nicholasjh1
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Re: Why won’t my CPAP work on airplanes?

Post by nicholasjh1 » Tue Apr 24, 2018 11:03 am

The pressure on an airplane is set to 8000 feet above sea level pressure. That could cause it. As CG pointed out there are machines specifically rated for flight. Mine does fine in Denver, I haven't taken it camping in the mountains yet... but now you have me worried! :shock:
Instead of Sleep apnea it should be called "Sleep deprivation, starving of oxygen, being poisoned by high CO2 levels, damaging the body and brain while it's supposed to be healing so that you constantly get worse and can never get healthy Apnea"

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chartle
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Re: Why won’t my CPAP work on airplanes?

Post by chartle » Tue Apr 24, 2018 12:14 pm

I looked it up and if I found your machine its says good upto 8,000 ft. My non travel airsence 10 says upto 8,500

D.H.
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Re: Why won’t my CPAP work on airplanes?

Post by D.H. » Tue Apr 24, 2018 12:30 pm

Did this happen more than that one day? If not, I wonder if it was just that the battery was not properly charged.

BTW, I used to have an Everest III CPAP, which also had a built-in battery. While I never tried to use it on a plane, I did notice that the hotplate did not work at higher altitudes (the blower worked well above the "rated" altitude). Strangely, the pre-heat worked even at these altitudes.

My DreamStation is only rated for 7500 ft., but the manufacturer said that If I take it higher, it would be off only slightly.

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MachineMask
Additional Comments: Auto PAP; 13.5 cmH2O min - 20 cmH2O max

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chartle
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Re: Why won’t my CPAP work on airplanes?

Post by chartle » Tue Apr 24, 2018 12:50 pm

nicholasjh1 wrote:
Tue Apr 24, 2018 11:03 am
The pressure on an airplane is set to 8000 feet above sea level pressure. That could cause it. As CG pointed out there are machines specifically rated for flight. Mine does fine in Denver, I haven't taken it camping in the mountains yet... but now you have me worried! :shock:
good to 8,500