Backpacking

Rusty's Master · Post by **Rusty's Master** » Tue May 19, 2009 12:04 am

I've been using my CPAP machine for about a year now and sleep like a baby. More energy during the day, lower blood pressure, no snoring, all the good stuff. I have two concerns. (1) I have an annual backpack trip planned this summer, and on those few occasions when I haven't used it, a nap for instance, my snoring (I assume) gives me one heck of a sore throat. Obviously I should use the machine then as well. But in the Sierra? Is a portable CPAP machine available? Any suggestions? (2) I'm a single 62 year old and I don't look forward to what I assume could be a bit of a turn-off for potential companions as I transform into the creature from the black lagoon at bedtime. Any of you guys been through this? Your thoughts? Ladies, feel free to reply also. Thanks

roster · Post by **roster** » Tue May 19, 2009 5:41 am

Very simple: Don't sleep without the CPAP process running.

Check out cpap.com for small machines and batteries.

GuyK · Post by **GuyK** » Tue May 19, 2009 5:58 am

I've been on a very similar search lately, and I've come to the conclusion there aren't any machines and batteries that are lightweight enough for a lengthy backpacking trip. Maybe an overnight, or a weekend trip, but in my opinion there isn't anything that would work well for a several day trip.

So, I'm exploring dental devices. I'm not sure (yet) if one will work for me. If it doesn't, then I feel a trek longer than a weekend is out of the question for me.

What I'm not considering is doing without. The risks are far too great.

Guy

plr66 · Post by **plr66** » Tue May 19, 2009 6:32 am

GuyK wrote:
What I'm not considering is doing without. The risks are far too great.

Guy

Good to hear! Have you checked the little Everest 2 with battery? It's light, small, & compact. If I were still backpacking, I'd work out a way to fit it in my pack.

bonjour · Post by **bonjour** » Tue May 19, 2009 7:11 am

If you are low pressure check out the breeze (never used it)
The issue is how to recharge the batteries. I was in LLBeans last weekend and saw a solar charger for electronic equip that would need to be looked into. Obviously capacity and compatibility are both issues. Just a path to check out.

Fred

bonjour · Post by **bonjour** » Tue May 19, 2009 7:15 am

Just saw this thread

viewtopic/t18506/CPAP-Camping.html

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue May 19, 2009 10:02 pm

LINKS to Battery operation, camping, power outage
viewtopic.php?t=9682

GuyK · Post by **GuyK** » Wed May 20, 2009 6:28 am

plr66 wrote:Have you checked the little Everest 2 with battery? It's light, small, & compact. If I were still backpacking, I'd work out a way to fit it in my pack.

I appreciate the pointer, and I did check it out previously...but at 6.65 lbs (with one battery; several batteries would be needed for a long backcountry trip), I don't really consider it a suitable option for backpacking.

It's one of those things that would probably be okay for a weekend trip, but probably not for a week-long trip, unless there was somewhere to recharge along the way.

Guy

GuyK · Post by **GuyK** » Wed May 20, 2009 6:38 am

I did just check the specs on the AEIOmed website, rather than relying on the specs on cpap.com.

So, it isn't 6.65lbs. It is 3.6lbs (with one battery). Each additional battery is 1.5lbs. Battery lasts, according to specs, 10 hrs at 10cm H20.

For me (and I'm facing a 6-day trip in August, probably 5 days without electricity), that wouldn't work.

However, it would be interesting to see how well it recharges with the solar trickle-charger.

Guy

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Wed May 20, 2009 6:46 am

GuyK wrote:I did just check the specs on the AEIOmed website, rather than relying on the specs on cpap.com.

So, it isn't 6.65lbs. It is 3.6lbs (with one battery). Each additional battery is 1.5lbs. Battery lasts, according to specs, 10 hrs at 10cm H20.

For me (and I'm facing a 6-day trip in August, probably 5 days without electricity), that wouldn't work.

However, it would be interesting to see how well it recharges with the solar trickle-charger.

Guy

If you are going to be on the move every day like most backpacking trips I used to take, solar probably won't do any good either ... unless maybe if you are in the desert walking in circles into the sun all day.

wristbandsnow · Post by **wristbandsnow** » Wed May 20, 2009 7:03 am

hello
I've been on a very similar search lately, and I've come to the conclusion there aren't any machines and batteries that are lightweight enough for a lengthy backpacking trip. Maybe an overnight, or a weekend trip, but in my opinion there isn't anything that would work well for a several day trip.

ColinP · Post by **ColinP** » Wed May 20, 2009 4:02 pm

I've not found anything that looks feasible for more than one, maybe two nights. Solar charging isn't really that efficient - not for the sort of charger that you can carry on your backpack anyway. The most promising would be if you can get away with a dental device for a few days.

sam1234 · Post by **sam1234** » Thu May 21, 2009 1:00 pm

It is difficult to backpack, bicycle, motorcycle or even camp with a cpap. The machine takes up space and then you need power.

I have recently purchased at SAM's Club http://www.interstatebatteries.com/cs_e ... cm0035.pdf a 24 pound deep cycle AGM battery. I don't know how far I would want to carry it.

I also have a motorcycle battery that is a starter battery that can last one night. It is not that light either.

Even with solar panels (5W each) It would take forever? to charge either battery and adds to what you are carrying.

I am taking a motorcycle trip in two weeks and one third of the bulk is cpap related as well as 1/2 the total weight that I am packing.

I am not going without the machine because the last time I camped, I had to rely on ambien to sleep and did not feel very rested in the morning.

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