Holiday/Vacation Usage Importance & Cleaning......

[Janknitz]

I am miserable with apneas whenever I fall asleep without my CPAP, there's no way I would leave it behind. Yes, it's inconvenient, but so is waking 100 times a night because you stop breathing. There's a reason the "give" you the carrying case, the point is to take it with you and use it EVERY time you sleep.

I always have a long extension cord in my bag--and yes, I've had to snake it around a room when the outlet was far from the bed. When you look for extension cords, watch out for the ones that are flatter, meant to have a lower profile. I find those are annoying because they are angled, and sometimes if you have to plug it in the top of a two outlet wall plug (e.g. it's hard to reach because of the position of furniture), they obstruct the lower outlet that may have something else from the hotel plugged in, or they won't fit in the outlet on a lamp on the hotel desk across the room.

[beetee]

I spoke to another tech , who said using wipes are fine so long as they dont contain much or any alcohol

The Resmed 10 offical user guide/book that comes with the machine states

Please note : Using wipes to clean your cushion will leave a film that may affect your mask fit.

My Mask fit seems ok, although i notice a few slips during the early evening when im still awake. My tech said my leaks are at an acceptable level. I'm sure wipes will be ok for a holiday, will just have to try them and see .

[zonker]

The Resmed 10 offical user guide/book that comes with the machine states

Please note : Using wipes to clean your cushion will leave a film that may affect your mask fit.

I've been using unscented baby wipes, every morning, for 9 years. no mask fit issues so far.

[Kiralynx]

I've had my machine(s) since 2009. I've gone without it exactly once. 2011. There was a hurricane. We had not power. I ended up sleeping upight in a chair for one utterly miserable week. My Dad got power back before we did. W moved over to his house, dogs, Bipap and all. I hooked up the machine and crashed for 16 hours. And I "only" have moderate apnea!

A few months later, we installed a whole-house generator, so there was no possibility of my having to go without. That has seen me through two hurricanes.

THe last time I travelled (other than in our RV, which I have a complete set-up on board so I do NOT forget a hose,a mask, nasal pillows, a power cord, or some other essential) was a flight to San Francisco from New Orleans to pick up a new puppy. https://i.imgur.com/WcF5mIy.jpg

I tragically lost my beloved heart dog, Harper to an evil blood cancer called hemangiosarcoma -- we had no clue he was ill. FIne in the morning, dead at night. His breeder offered me his great-nephew. With a catch: it just wasn't safe, with Covid and all to ship a puppy. I had to come get him.

So, I booked a round-trip flight. I left my house at 4:30 am, drove to the airport, parked in the handicapped parking to which I am entitled, and offloaded my mobility scooter. I had a carry-on bag with me with a change of clothes, the food for my special diet, AND my Bipap, hose, cords, mask, and extension cord.

Flight left NOLA at 6:00 AM, got into SFCA at about 10 am local. The breeder picked me up at the door to the airport (and boy was I glad I had my scooter! SF Airport is ginormous!) and we spent a lovely day playing with Dachshunds, petting Dachshunds, talking about Dachshunds,and getting acquainted with my new puppy. About 8p, we loaded the New Boy into a carrier and I went back to the airport. Getting through security with the scooter and the Bipap was easy. The pup less so, since he had to come out of the carrier for them to inspect it, and he was STRONGLY of the opinion that his proper place was NOT in that beastly carrier, but snuggled in my arms where he could wash my face on a regular basis. I am more stubborn, however.

Flight left SFCA at about 11p local. I wisely booked non-stop. Puppy slept the whole way, although he got little restless when we hit a line of t-storms at the LA/TX border. We landed, they brought my scooter, and I trundled off to the car. (The carrier, happily, fit under my legs ON the scooter so I did not have to manage it, the bag AND the scooter.) Got everything loaded in the car, and pulled into my driveway about 26 hours after I left. Unloaded the bag, unloaded the puppy, took him for a stroll and then brought him in to meet my husband (his Harry) and his Beagle.

Did I need to haul the CPAP on that trip? Technically, no, since I went a full 26 hours with no sleep! BUT: planes were frequently being cancelled and I did not wish to risk being caught without it. By having it, I knew that no matter what, I would be able to sleep safely.

His name, btw, is Pramada-Koradox Qi To Everything, Qi (pronounced "Key"). Almost three years on, I think I made only one mistake on that trip. And that was naming a puppy "Energy."

DO take your CPAP. You'll be the better for it!

[ChicagoGranny]

I spoke to another tech , who said using wipes are fine so long as they dont contain much or any alcohol

That tech is not well-informed. Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol is recommended for cleaning silicone. ---------> https://www.customadvanced.com/assets/f ... -chart.pdf

[beetee]

Thanks for all your detailed replies on this : )