CPAP on a boat

Ruby Vee · Post by **Ruby Vee** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 8:56 pm

DH and I own a 37 foot ketch (sailboat) that is to be our retirement home. Does anyone have any experience with CPAP on boats? I have a ResMed Elite II machine, and DH says the boat has an inverter so the machine ought to work. We're trying to figure out how to rig a shelf in the V-berth to hold the machine. Probably a shelf with fiddles, so I don't pull the machine off in my sleep. Since power boats are known to buzz by sailboats and leave us rocking in their wake, I'm thinking that the humidifier I own may not be ideal as it could slosh the water back into the machine. Any suggestions for a humidifier, or do I train myself to do without?

Sleeprider · Post by **Sleeprider** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 11:45 pm

Interesting question. When not on shore power, you can use 12 volt batteries and an inverter as a power source. Charging batteries should be possible with a solar, battery charger or the engine stator/generator.

Humidity shouldn't be an issue when on the water. While the air may not be super-saturated, it should be in the 60 to 100% RH range and won't dry your sinuses. Try our sub-10% humidity in California inland areas and you would understand why humidity is needed. Anyway, sounds like a great time. I'm sure you can overcome this small issue.

yardbird · Post by **yardbird** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 5:19 am

Ruby,

You may not need the humidifier. When I've traveled to Florida, Bahamas, St Lucia, anywhere humid.... I have left my humidifier home and never missed it. If you're in an area where it's warm enough for a boat to be your home, then I think you'd be fine without the humidifier. What's that mean? Well it means you may be fine on 12V power instead of using the inverter. If you're on shore power this shouldn't be an issue in any case, but when you're on your own power, it might be better to have your machine on DC rather than inverter power. Recharge battery inn whatever way seems most appropriate. I would think solar would work well or recharge from engine if that's how you're charging now.

Ruby Vee · Post by **Ruby Vee** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 4:57 pm

Thanks for the advice! Right now, we're charging our batteries with shore power or the engine, but hope to add solar panels before we go to sea. I'm really happy to hear you say that I can live without the humidifer! The PAP takes up a lot less room without it, and distilled water for the humidifier would be one more thing to carry.

CPAP on a boat

CPAP on a boat

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Re: CPAP on a boat

Re: CPAP on a boat