still confused about best travel cpap!

[organicgirl]

I have spent a few hours trying to sort through all the posts here on the best cpap machine for travel and it seems the Everest is a good bet. But since I am new to CPAP (a few months) and new to travelling with one- I could use some help here! Because my current mask has been intolerable/ need a new mask from my DME, my Doctor is trying to advocate for a new machine too if possible that will also work for travelling. Is there a machine that would be better to ask DME for that would also be easier to travel with than my Remstar plus M series with heated humidifier?
A few questions:

1) Can I take my remstar m series olus with heated humidifier on the plane ( airline regs aside...). Will it work ok? if so- WHAT type of battery do I need? how much do these cost? I think I read that pple recommend the Everest b/c the battery for M series if heavy and costly? is this accurate?

2)A lot has been writtten about "power plug". I dont understand what that is (I know I sound like a tech moron!) . I thought it was BETTER? to bring your own battery overall so you dont annoy the flight/ intefere with their electricity etc..so would I even need a power plug? Can I just bring a battery or is there more involved / is there any other attachment or technical equipment I need if I just plan to use the battery? is there an advantage to plugging in to the plane vs. the battery?

3) anyone know if you can rent an Everest from your DME just for travel?

4) Also some posts indicating you're better off without your humidifier? I use one and need one. WIll this be ok on the plan if I use my full machinel (the cpap and the heated humidifier)? I use it every night this way. Are there any technical issues to be concerned about?

Thanks much!
-Stacey

[Gerald]

Organic.....

Your smartest move would be to purchase a "M" series auto with AFLEX and integrated humidifier. Add a card reader and "Viewer" software. Make that machine into the one you use daily.

Relegate your "Plus" machine to travel duty. The AFLEX machine comes with a nice travel case....your "plus" will fit into it just fine.

As for use on an airplane......I wouldn't bother. You're sitting up during the journey.....and probably won't need CPAP therapy anyway.

Only purchase a 12V power cord if you want to build a battery backup...for use at home...when the power goes out.

Gerald

[ozij]

The need for humidification is personal - I would not travel without my humidifier - ever.
However, I can imagine using a humidifier during the flight can be pretty complicated because just finding a place for placing the machine may be an issue - and then there's the question of having it jogged and water splashing into the cpap itself -- on the one hand -- emptying the humidifier and repacking for the rest of the trip on the other. Maybe it's simpler when you don't fly coach.

Aeiomed, makers of the Everest make my favorite mask, the Headrest. It's apt to have lots of condensation when your pressure is low - but that can be solved. A comfortable, well-sealing mask is a must.

What machine is your DME recommending, and why?

O.

[billbolton]

There are (at least) two things to consider...

1. There are sometimes restriction on what pressure levels the most portable CPAP machines can operate to, so make doubly sure that whatever flow generator you take into an aircraft cabin can actually deliver the pressure level you require at the cabin-pressure-equivalent altitude of ~2400 Metres.... otherwise you have just wasted your time/effort!

2. The energy required to make a heated humidifier work is such that it makes it pramatically impractical for in-flight use. It will exceed the energy capacity of any at-seat power outlet (if there is any reliable at-seat power available at all), or it will increase the size/weight of the battery pack need to support heated humdifier operation to the point where it is generally too much of a nuisance to considering carrying it onboard.

I can't comment on whether your existing Respironics kit is suitable for purpose, but I do know from extensive personal experience that a Resmed S8 (with the Heated humidifer removed) does work fine for in-flight operation from both at-seat power (where available and reliable), and from reasonably sized 12V battery packs.

Cheers,

Bill

[elader]

I have spent a few hours trying to sort through all the posts here on the best cpap machine for travel and it seems the Everest is a good bet. But since I am new to CPAP (a few months) and new to travelling with one- I could use some help here! Because my current mask has been intolerable/ need a new mask from my DME, my Doctor is trying to advocate for a new machine too if possible that will also work for travelling. Is there a machine that would be better to ask DME for that would also be easier to travel with than my Remstar plus M series with heated humidifier?
A few questions:

1) Can I take my remstar m series olus with heated humidifier on the plane ( airline regs aside...). Will it work ok? if so- WHAT type of battery do I need? how much do these cost? I think I read that pple recommend the Everest b/c the battery for M series if heavy and costly? is this accurate?

What do you mean 'airline regs aside'? Most will NOT let you use it without battery, and it's crazy to try to use it with a humidifier and end up ruining it. The M series battery is expensive and heavy. If you think you have to have a cpap USED ON THE PLANE, the everest is a good bet. Even then, you MUST get written approval way in advance or you will be out of luck.

2)A lot has been writtten about "power plug". I dont understand what that is (I know I sound like a tech moron!) . I thought it was BETTER? to bring your own battery overall so you dont annoy the flight/ intefere with their electricity etc..so would I even need a power plug? Can I just bring a battery or is there more involved / is there any other attachment or technical equipment I need if I just plan to use the battery? is there an advantage to plugging in to the plane vs. the battery?

You cant use the power in the plane unless you are in business or first. The catch 22 is that they will not guarantee it will work, so, if you say this is life support, they will insist on you bringing your own power. If you are willing to take the risk that the power port isnt working, then obviously you dont need the cpap in the first place.

3) anyone know if you can rent an Everest from your DME just for travel?

No way.

4) Also some posts indicating you're better off without your humidifier? I use one and need one. WIll this be ok on the plan if I use my full machinel (the cpap and the heated humidifier)? I use it every night this way. Are there any technical issues to be concerned about?

I would be very worried about sloshing in flight and ruining the machine. suffer for the flight and dont use the humidifier.

Thanks much!
-Stacey

[billbolton]

You cant use the power in the plane unless you are in business or first.

The newest generation of commercial aircraft, such as the Airbus A380 for example, typically do provide at-seat 120V AC mains power outlets in all classes. See...
http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-new ... -c2vx.html

Actual availability of working at-seat power is still an issue, as it's not a guaranteed service.

Cheers,

Bill