Help Using CPAP On Flight

cyleclayton · Post by **cyleclayton** » Sat Apr 06, 2024 8:47 am

I have two 10 hour overnight flights in the next month and need CPAP on the plane. I'd love to purchase a mini travel CPAP, but just don't have the money for a machine and battery. My home machine is a Luna G3. Humidifier is not detachable. How do I fly in Main Cabin Extra on a 777-200 with this?

Conrad · Post by **Conrad** » Sat Apr 06, 2024 9:05 am

I can't help with the plane and using the CPAP machine, but I personally would be tempted to skip using the CPAP machine on the plane. Two nights non-use isn't going to kill you, well, me anyways.

I had to DC the use of my machine for 6 weeks after ear surgery a few years ago. I lived to tell the tale.

vandownbytheriver · Post by **vandownbytheriver** » Sat Apr 06, 2024 9:18 am

cyleclayton wrote: ↑
Sat Apr 06, 2024 8:47 am
I have two 10 hour overnight flights in the next month and need CPAP on the plane. I'd love to purchase a mini travel CPAP, but just don't have the money for a machine and battery. My home machine is a Luna G3. Humidifier is not detachable. How do I fly in Main Cabin Extra on a 777-200 with this?

Main Cabin Extra... that's still sitting up, right? I get by without CPAP even though I'm Severe+ AHI. You had better check with your airline... some hate big batteries, some *demand* big batteries... lithium batteries get dangerous when more than fully discharged. Buy the biggest battery they'll let you bring, keep the heat and humidity off for longer duration.

Were it me, I'd bring my main machine as carry-on and also plan for other things like nasal dialators, mandibular advancement, soft cervical collars etc. to get me through. I forgot my machine once (remembered the bag!) and had to sleep one night in a chair... got maybe 2 hours crappy sleep... and this was before I knew how to bring my jaw forward. Don't recline the seat. Bring a blindfold and earplugs, amazing how well those work... here's the deal on a combo from the Zon, you want the blindfold that doesn't touch your eyes:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B095C7H62X

Obviously the Bose noise-cancelling if you've got them... I've used 30dB shooters' muffs to good effect.

cyleclayton · Post by **cyleclayton** » Sat Apr 06, 2024 11:09 am

Conrad wrote: ↑
Sat Apr 06, 2024 9:05 am
I can't help with the plane and using the CPAP machine, but I personally would be tempted to skip using the CPAP machine on the plane. Two nights non-use isn't going to kill you, well, me anyways. I had to DC the use of my machine for 6 weeks after ear surgery a few years ago. I lived to tell the tale.

Yeah, I can make it without the sleep, but the people around me may call for an air marshall because of my snoring.

cyleclayton · Post by **cyleclayton** » Sat Apr 06, 2024 11:11 am

vandownbytheriver wrote: ↑
Sat Apr 06, 2024 9:18 am

cyleclayton wrote: ↑
Sat Apr 06, 2024 8:47 am
Were it me, I'd bring my main machine as carry-on and also plan for other things like nasal dialators, mandibular advancement, soft cervical collars etc. to get me through. I forgot my machine once (remembered the bag!) and had to sleep one night in a chair... got maybe 2 hours crappy sleep... and this was before I knew how to bring my jaw forward. Don't recline the seat.
So, what nasal dilator and mandibular advancement devices do you recommend?

vandownbytheriver · Post by **vandownbytheriver** » Sat Apr 06, 2024 11:40 am

cyleclayton wrote: ↑
Sat Apr 06, 2024 11:11 am

vandownbytheriver wrote: ↑
Sat Apr 06, 2024 9:18 am
Were it me, I'd bring my main machine as carry-on and also plan for other things like nasal dialators, mandibular advancement, soft cervical collars etc. to get me through. I forgot my machine once (remembered the bag!) and had to sleep one night in a chair... got maybe 2 hours crappy sleep... and this was before I knew how to bring my jaw forward. Don't recline the seat.
So, what nasal dilator and mandibular advancement devices do you recommend?

You may not need nasal dialators... can you suck in and collapse a nostril? LankyLefty27 (YT) uses Mute brand... it comes in a three-size fit back and goes into the nose, with a small bridge piece between to prevent aspiration. Goes in about 3/4" inch, 20mm.

I've been playing with the SnoreMD, 40$ at Walmart. It is cheeseball, in that it's big and uncomfortable, too uncomfortable to wear all night. I had success using it for an hour before bed, then being careful not to clench my teeth until morning... took 2cm off my APAP pressures. I had to use it upside-down due to my overbite... really bringing my jaw to normal, instead of advancing it beyond normal (see my full post on the matter). Now I just consciously advance my jaw while computering before bed... by the time I go to bed I've got my jaw past my lip and top teeth... and I can notice the advancement has lessened but still there by morning. Normal bite sends the jaw back where it belongs. MAD only works if your tongue falling back is the problem... on your FL graphs, if you see them going up during sleep, probably your tongue IMO. This is why sleeping upright is better if you don't have PAP.

Miss Emerita · Post by **Miss Emerita** » Sat Apr 06, 2024 11:50 am

From CPAP.com:

Here are the CPAP policies of various airlines in the United States and a link to each airline’s policy overview. If you can’t find answers online pertaining to your specific airline, equipment, or needs, don’t hesitate to reach out to the airline’s help desk, as they will have the most up-to-date information:

United – You will need to give at least 48-hour notice to the airline’s Accessibility Desk if you’re planning to use your CPAP on the airplane. To expedite this process, have the manufacturer information on hand, so United can verify it meets the FAA approval standards. You’ll also need to have enough portable batteries to power the device for the duration of the flight time plus 3 hours if you plan to use the device in-flight.
Delta – Delta has a list of approved CPAP devices listed on their website that can be used without medical approval. Those planning to use the machine in-flight will need a battery with a capacity that is at least 150% that of the given flight time.
American Airlines – American Airlines doesn’t require any sort of advanced notice if you plan to travel with or use your CPAP machine in flight. They do note, however, that passengers should not rely on the availability of powered outlets and may even need a DC power adaptor to utilize seat power aboard the aircraft.
Jet Blue – You can use CPAP machines on Jet Blue flights, so long as they meet all TSA and FAA regulations (e.g., packing it away during landing, etc.).
Southwest – Southwest encourages you to carry on your CPAP device to keep it protected during transit. You can use it on the flight so long as you meet all TSA and FAA standards. Per Southwest’s website, “Southwest Airlines does not have electrical outlets onboard the aircraft for commercial product use,” so like most others, be prepared to bring your own power supply if you plan to use your device in-flight.

All US airlines will allow you to use your CPAP machine during flight because it is a medical device. You should call the airline at least 48 hours in advance and ask for their official policies if you’re flying internationally.

stevenal · Post by **stevenal** » Sat Apr 06, 2024 4:49 pm

https://www.uponarriving.com/airplanes- ... tlets-usb/

You may need to turn the humidifier off if over the wattage limit.

bierhere · Post by **bierhere** » Sat Apr 06, 2024 7:55 pm

Your main issue will be power. A 777-200 is an older plane and I've had issues with power on older planes with CPAP especially when trying to use a "regular CPAP" because they will require more wattage than a travel machine. Your standard power supply is 65W, and that will likely too much power for an airplane outlet. With my ResMed S9, they had a lower wattage power brick, but I didn't see anything like that for the G3. You might need a battery to reliably power it. But I now own a Resmed Air Mini and I've tripped circuit breakers on 777 even with that. Some of this will also depend on your script. My pressure is around 14cm.

I've used my CPAP on probably on 15-20 overnight flights to Europe/India. Most of these have been business class, some in Premium Economy. I have made it work in Premium Economy, but sitting up, the amount of sleep is certainly less than normal. I used mine just three weeks ago on Delta on a 767-400 in Premium Economy. I was able to power the AirMini from the outlet. I always travel with a battery since power is potentially an issue. Sometimes it's unneeded and sometimes it's required. But batteries are expensive, and you need tomato sure you buy one that is compatible with your machine and allowable on an international flight.

I personally find using the CPAP in flight worth the trouble, but it is a pain.

stevenal · Post by **stevenal** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 8:41 am

The wattage rating of the brick is the maximum. It will only draw the wattage it needs to provide the needed output plus some loss. The biggest draw is generally the humidifier, which was why I suggested turning it off. If your pressure goes very high, you might consider getting a meter to check it before traveling. My local utility once had a program to loan out Kill-a-watt plug-in meters.

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